Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Interior Designer: Project 22 Design
Landscape Designer: Alexander Suvajec
Structural Engineer: Fast+Epp
Contractore: Homeworx Construction
Location: Bowen Island, BC
Project size: 375m2
Status: under construction

The new primary residence sits on a 140 acre property that houses a historic, working farm, Endswell Farm. To contextualize the house project, the idea of utility of building structures for specific use drove the planning and massing of the new house. It has four distinct zones organized by use - primary suite, guests, gather & support. With each zone, the spaces and roof lie low following the natural ground plane to minimize excavation and extraneous foundations. Each interior zone optimizes its relationship to its adjacent natural landscape for a blend of indoor and outdoor living. The zones relate to its natural orientation relative to seasonal solar paths, prevailing winds, native landscape and views.

Renderings by Office ISO

Client: The Bridge Community Church
Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Construction Manager: Titan Construction
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Project size: 1338 m2
Construction cost: est $7,000,000
Status: completed 2021

The Bridge Church is deeply rooted in its Deep Cove community with much of the congregation members living primarily within the neighbourhood. When the Church purchased the park-like, forested site, their primary objective was to become a part of the neighbourhood; to operate as public servants and impact the lives of the people.

PROJECT VISION

There are three main goals for the design of this new church building:

- to create the optimal environment for an active and engaged congregation, through the designof a flexible and contemporary building;

- to create a strong connection from the church to the community, so the congregation and other users have a universal connection to the activities of the church;

- to create a community house, of distinctive aesthetic character integrated into the landscape, and becomes a destination on Deep Cove Road capable of attracting both locals and visitors.

The siting of the new church responds to the expanse of the natural landscape on site. It works with the scale of its neighbouring buildings to create a defined welcoming public realm.

The new building is a simple building. Its appearance is understated. In this way, the building forms a quiet counterpoint to the natural landscape itself, and provides dignified surroundings for the parish activities.

Photographer: Andrew Latreille

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Contractor: Green City Builders
Location: Salt Spring Island, BC
Project size: 112 m2
Construction cost: est. $538,000
Status: completed 2019

This waterfront property was purchased by the clients as a family legacy piece. Extended families would come together to connect with nature and one another in this pristine 2nd growth forest in Salt Spring Island.

Set amongst the trees, the modest cabin will float above the forest understory with minimal impact to the ground. The decks bridge the building to the natural forest grade.

Read more: Dwell Magazine

Photographer: Andrew Latreille

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture
Contractor: O’Durnin Developments
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Project size: 195 m2
Status: completed 2015

The client's love for their 1962 West Coast Modern home and the surrounding neighbourhood initiated the addition and renovation project.  The needs of the family of 5 were changing as their children were growing into their pre-teen years.  The existing 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom house did not accommodate their desires for separate bedrooms, more room for everyday living, and dedicated space for a home office.  The existing house was also in great need for general service upgrades of mechanical, plumbing and electrical.

The design needed to satisfy the client's love for contemporary design and yet work harmoniously with the existing aesthetic of the West Coast Modern design.  The primary design intent was to create simple, clean multi-functional spaces that could flex with the growth of the family’s needs as the kids grew to adolescents, to their future move out, and to final retirement for the parents in the house they love.

With a limited project budget, we worked closely with the family to determine primary design moves that would serve the best ‘bang for buck’ and yet would allow for future works, if finances became available or were required.  The focus of the work includes the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry/mud room, entry, home office, an additional bedroom and more storage spaces.

Photographer: Janis Nicolay & Andrew Latreille

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Contractor: Saint Construction
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Project size: 102 m2
Construction cost: est $600,000
Status: completed 2018

When we completed the full renovation of their house in 2015, the clients and their parents loved the value, beauty and liveability added to their existing Coast Modern House. After only living in the completed renovation for 6 months, we were back in design to build an addition to include living for the grandparents.

The careful consideration in the design was the balance of having one extended family of 7 people plus 1 dog live live together but with respectful separation. The project clients were now the retired senior couple downsizing from their large house and moving in with their son and grandkids.

The new “bar” addition was designed to respectfully contrast the existing coast modern house. The materiality and planning all work within this design rationale. The new black vertical metal cladding speaks subtly against the old black vertical wood siding. In plan, the new addition sits 5 degrees off from the original existing house and relates with openness and expansiveness to the adjacent side yard trees. The new shared public spaces balance connectivity and privacy.

Photographer: Janis Nicolay & Andrew Latreille

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Interior Designer: Studio Roslyn
Contractor: Fort Construction
Location: Vancouver, BC
Project size: 207 m2
Construction cost: est $300,000
Status: completed 2018

The appreciation for Vancouver’s heritage commercial street character and neighbourhood scale motivated the client’s purchase of the +100yr old building on Main & 26th Ave. As landlords of the 8 unit apartment and commercial building, they slowly revitalized the building and made it an important hot spot within Vancouver’s food culture.

With desires to grow their family and live closer to work, the clients embarked on a major renovation of the top floor of the apartment building. Three small apartment units were converted into one luxurious 3 bedroom unit to live, work and celebrate.

Photographer: Nancy Silva Grife; Lauren D Zbarsky

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Contractor: Homeworx Construction
Location: Vancouver, BC
Project size: 580 m2
Construction cost: est. $2,500,000
Status: completed 2023

With a new bare land property purchase in Vancouver, the clients also purchased a home design with an approved building permit. The value of the approved BP is the significant time savings in building a new home and moving in. The process of building in the City of Vancouver is arduous. The City’s approval process is notorious for dragging on for years before construction can begin.

The benefits to the time savings were weighed against the compromises of the approved design. The approved design was a typical speculation house geared to maximizing area with an aesthetic that was real estate saleable. For the clients there was a lost opportunity - the investment of building a new home that was designed to their custom needs and wants. However, time was the important priority over a complete new custom design.

The strategy was to take advantage of the approved BP but use the City’s BP revision application process to “renovate” the unbuilt spec. house. The interior layouts were completely redesigned to meet the clients’ needs and wants, and to relate to important site conditions: natural light, treed views and neighbouring adjacencies. To allow the house to sit quieter, the exterior massing and aesthetics were simplified.

Photographer: Andrew Latreille

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Contractor: M&N Construction Ltd.
Location: Vancouver, BC
Project size: 186 m2
Construction cost: $98,000
Status: completed 2017

At the purchase of their Vancouver Special, the client understood the difficult housing and real estate climate of Vancouver.  With the significant investment to purchase a home, the compromise was to buy the less ideal 2 bedroom home and plan for a renovation in their budgeting.

The existing house had gracious large rooms more in line with traditional living in the 1970s.  The design of the renovation found opportunities for more efficient "condo style" living.  Most critical with the introduction of an additional bedroom was the need to maintain or allow for more storage.

With the limited project budget, the design limited work to areas of high priority and reused many components. The central core of plumbing, mechanical and vertical circulation were maintained, as the oversized public living areas were flipped for new private bedrooms. This created an open kitchen, living and dining area at the rear of the house and new bedrooms at the front of the house. 

Photographer: Nancy Silva Grife

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture
Contractor: Peter Schultz Construction Ltd.
Location: Victoria, BC
Project size: 327 m2
Status: completed 2008

With a new retirement and efforts to downsize, the Pang couple commissioned the new home in 2007.  Located in a new subdivision, hpa worked within the bylaw restrictions to create a unique and contemporary design.  The house was designed to highlight and exhibit the couple's world travel collection and personal family antiques in the everyday use of the space.

The primary design intent was to create a beautiful, comfortable house optimizing natural light, natural ventilation, maximizing the use of built area without excess and allowing for flexibility for future change.

We worked closely with the couple to understand their everyday needs, retirement hobbies and valued living qualities to incorporate into the design of their retirement home.

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Structural Engineer: Ian Boyle
Location: Salt Spring Island, BC
Project size: 10m2
Status: under construction

A new out building nestled in the forest for multi-purposes. It is a bunky that transforms - Sauna. Office. Bunk room.

Like the adjacent primary house, the building sits above the forest ground to allow the native plants to grow, site drainage to be uninterrupted and tree roofs to be undisturbed. 

Client: CHUM Collectif (Innisfree/Laing O’Rourke/OHL)
Architect: Cannon Design Architecture Ltd.
Role: Project Architect, Lead designer
Location: Montreal, QC
Project size: 335,500 m2
Construction cost: est $2,500,000,000
Status: Phase 1, completed 2017; Phase 2, projected completion 2019
Noted: targeting LEED Gold Certification; alternative construction delivery (Public - Private partnership, P3)

The Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) occupies two full blocks in the heart of downtown Montreal and will be one of North America’s largest academic medical centres.

The project is an important catalyst in mending the city’s urban fabric by re-establishing the link between the historic quarter of Old Montreal with the existing downtown core.  CHUM will reactivate street life by harmonizing with the neighborhood context and thoughtfully incorporating heritage buildings.  The 20-storey research hospital will serve ambulatory patients, inpatients, and emergency patients.  The project’s priority for open spaces and the target for LEED Silver design will improve the quality of life for patients, physicians and staff.

Photographer: Greg Fenske; David Goyne

Architect: Helen Pang Architecture Inc.
Contractor: TBD
Location: Keats Island, BC
Project size: 120 m2
Construction cost: est. $450,000

Keats Island is well known for its summer camp, which the clients grew up attending and working at throughout their childhood. The island community is tight knit but largely exists in the summer months. Access to the island is limited to passenger ferry services or private boats and water taxis.

The existing 1941 cabin on the ocean view property did not serve the family of 4 along with their extension of family and friends. A new cabin is sited respectfully between neighbours optimizing view and reducing summer heat gains. The siting respects 3 large fir trees, and a beloved apple tree.

Client: Westbank Corporation
Architect: James K. M. Cheng Architects Inc.
Role: Intern Architect
Location: Victoria, BC
Project size: 18,500 m2
Status: completed 2007

- 185-unit high end residential development, two curvilinear buildings of 6 & 9 storeys surrounding a large landscaped water feature. All common hallways are exterior which gives natural daylight to all units at both ends. The entire complex overlooks Victoria's Inner Harbour and inwardly towards the common garden.

Photographer: James Cheng; Helen Pang

Client: Brantford Family YMCA & Wilfrid Laurier University
Architect: Cannon Design Architecture Inc.
Role: Lead designer
Location: Brantford, ON
Project size: 10,680 m2
Construction cost: est $48,000,000
Phase: Concept & Schematic Design
Award: 59th Annual Progressive Architecture Award winner [2012]

As the student population in the community of Brantford, ON has grown significantly the past years, a partnership between Brant County, YMCA Brantford and Wilfrid Laurier University was formed to create a new athletic and recreation complex.  The new facility will encourage and support the active lifestyle of both the students and the local community. 

Located in downtown Brantford, the new project will begin to revitalize and encourage further development of the area.  Due to the significant elevation change from the lower Grand River bank to the existing downtown promenade, the design of the new facility will form an important site connector for pedestrians and cyclists.  The athletics program elements include three gymnasiums, an aquatic centre, fitness studios, a dance studio, a running track, athletic therapy, coaches’ offices, and locker rooms for families, varsity teams, and general use.  Also other amenities will include boardrooms, meetings rooms, private consultation spaces, a play centre and youth zone, multipurpose rooms, and a café.

Client: Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation + Barnett Family Holdings Inc.
Architect: AARobins Architect
Role: Intern Architect
Location: Vancouver, BC
Project size: 1,300 m2
Construction cost: $4,200,000
Status: completed 2005
Awards: 2005 CISC BC Steel Design Award; 2006 AIBC Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Innovation

In efforts to improve public amenities along Vancouver's seawall, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation initiated an early version of a public-private partnership project to replace the existing 1960s structure.  The joint venture between public funds and private vender allow the new building to included new public washrooms, concessions, lifeguard facility and a restaurant.  The project which introduced a restaurant on public park land, set a precedent for the City of Vancouver and all future seawall restaurant projects.  Some of the green design features of the project include natural ventilation, ground sourced radiant floor heating, and low VOC materials.

Photographer: Tony Robins; Helen Pang