Comments on: Vancouver Special Renovation by Iconstrux Architecture http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/ Contemporary Modern Architecture Furniture Lighting Interior Design Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:09:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Dave deBruyn http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-346457 Dave deBruyn Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:34:20 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-346457 Brilliant conversion guys - this is an inspiring design & probably the single most exciting remodel of a Vancouver Special that I have ever come across. Iconstrux will be my first call before we undertake our next major remodel. Brilliant conversion guys – this is an inspiring design & probably the single most exciting remodel of a Vancouver Special that I have ever come across. Iconstrux will be my first call before we undertake our next major remodel.

]]> By: Tbo http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-238969 Tbo Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:55:51 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-238969 Oh who cares if the Vancouver Special-ness of this has been "lost". There are 50,000 more of those eyesores blanding up our city. This house takes "Dogs playing poker" on velvet and turns it into something more Mondrian. Oh who cares if the Vancouver Special-ness of this has been “lost”. There are 50,000 more of those eyesores blanding up our city. This house takes “Dogs playing poker” on velvet and turns it into something more Mondrian.

]]> By: Neil http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-187827 Neil Tue, 12 May 2009 22:36:32 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-187827 I would tend to agree Stewart and others. We need to look beyond superfluous finishing details and focus more on the spacial vernacular as a basis for comparison. In this regard, much of original Vancouver Special shines through. One of the great things about the Vancouver Special that lead to its prominence was the large, usable interior space. This has been largely retained, just given a facelift. I would like to see some wider shots to see how the building relates to its surroundings. Also how did you get that front guard by the C.O.V.? I would tend to agree Stewart and others. We need to look beyond superfluous finishing details and focus more on the spacial vernacular as a basis for comparison. In this regard, much of original Vancouver Special shines through. One of the great things about the Vancouver Special that lead to its prominence was the large, usable interior space. This has been largely retained, just given a facelift.
I would like to see some wider shots to see how the building relates to its surroundings.
Also how did you get that front guard by the C.O.V.?

]]> By: Cindy http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-184095 Cindy Tue, 05 May 2009 21:43:37 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-184095 I love this design, my husband and I have just put an offer for a 1970's special. We really hope we get it because your designs have inspired us. I love this design, my husband and I have just put an offer for a 1970’s special. We really hope we get it because your designs have inspired us.

]]> By: Kosta http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-109192 Kosta Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:47:31 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-109192 It's a nice looking home, but I don't like the harsh right angles. Also, it doesn't look like a home you could raise a family in (uninviting backyard. Let's admit, most people are looking for family homes. With that said, it's still a hot looking house! It’s a nice looking home, but I don’t like the harsh right angles. Also, it doesn’t look like a home you could raise a family in (uninviting backyard. Let’s admit, most people are looking for family homes.

With that said, it’s still a hot looking house!

]]> By: John http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-103557 John Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:53:13 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-103557 mel, nobody is claiming that this house is still a Vancouver Special. They clearly did not want it to be a vancouver special anymore, that was the whole point of doing the project. But saying "there’s absolutely nothing left of the “Vancouver special” part of the home", is not true either, as Silvia has pointed out, there are a number of typical elements of a Vancouver Special that still exist. So...it's not a Vancouver Special anymore, nobody is saying that it is, but it does retain an echo of the original Vancouver Special that it was. mel, nobody is claiming that this house is still a Vancouver Special. They clearly did not want it to be a vancouver special anymore, that was the whole point of doing the project. But saying “there’s absolutely nothing left of the “Vancouver special” part of the home”, is not true either, as Silvia has pointed out, there are a number of typical elements of a Vancouver Special that still exist.

So…it’s not a Vancouver Special anymore, nobody is saying that it is, but it does retain an echo of the original Vancouver Special that it was.

]]> By: mel http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-103513 mel Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:27:24 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-103513 I agree with Anne, the essential element of a Vancouver Special has been lost. And although it's a beautiful renovation the location of the door/windows, etc does not lend it to still be a Vancouver Special.....does a roof in the same place qualify it also? There are many lovely renovated Vancouver Specials around the Westside of Vancouver which still reminisce of the traditional design yet with modern elements. I agree with Anne, the essential element of a Vancouver Special has been lost. And although it’s a beautiful renovation the location of the door/windows, etc does not lend it to still be a Vancouver Special…..does a roof in the same place qualify it also? There are many lovely renovated Vancouver Specials around the Westside of Vancouver which still reminisce of the traditional design yet with modern elements.

]]> By: Evan http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-98255 Evan Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:18:40 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-98255 The fireplaces are fantastic. I was thinking they needed a mantle or something, but then again, that might spoil them. The fireplaces are fantastic. I was thinking they needed a mantle or something, but then again, that might spoil them.

]]> By: kmwd http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-97912 kmwd Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:57:22 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-97912 Really lovely. Really lovely.

]]> By: Allan Askew http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-97510 Allan Askew Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:33:14 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-97510 I think it an obvious thing to do with existing non conforming homes with good square footage above grade. This is a good way to get good contemporary designs into desireable west side neighbourhoods without sacraficing square footage (some zoning restricts the size if one doesn't build using traditional features. I plan to do more if this market smartens up. I think it an obvious thing to do with existing non conforming homes with good square footage above grade. This is a good way to get good contemporary designs into desireable west side neighbourhoods without sacraficing square footage (some zoning restricts the size if one doesn’t build using traditional features. I plan to do more if this market smartens up.

]]> By: John http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-96555 John Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:12:00 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-96555 I'd love to see more of this in Vancouver! I’d love to see more of this in Vancouver!

]]> By: Allan Askew http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-94624 Allan Askew Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:20:43 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-94624 Actually, there is access to under the stairs and we left an inch and one half to clean the glass for those with smallish hands. thanks for all the positive comments, Allan. Actually, there is access to under the stairs and we left an inch and one half to clean the glass for those with smallish hands. thanks for all the positive comments, Allan.

]]> By: john http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-94168 john Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:57:32 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-94168 absolutely beautiful, and just the right size. I see the point, however, about wondering what you are supposed to do if something falls underneath the stairs. Maybe under the stairs is the Mother-In-Law's room ; ) absolutely beautiful, and just the right size. I see the point, however, about wondering what you are supposed to do if something falls underneath the stairs. Maybe under the stairs is the Mother-In-Law’s room ; )

]]> By: Grant http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-94154 Grant Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:51:29 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-94154 This house is for sale right now http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=7796286 4 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2500 square feet $1,898,000 This house is for sale right now

http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=7796286

4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2500 square feet

$1,898,000

]]> By: Stewart http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-93457 Stewart Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:12:34 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-93457 One of the most typical features of a Vancouver Special is the balcony in the front, and they kept the balcony in the front. This is great work, which does a wonderful job echoing the previous design, while bringing it into the 21st Century. I hope some of the Vancouver Specials in my neighbourhood get renovated as well as this. One of the most typical features of a Vancouver Special is the balcony in the front, and they kept the balcony in the front.

This is great work, which does a wonderful job echoing the previous design, while bringing it into the 21st Century. I hope some of the Vancouver Specials in my neighbourhood get renovated as well as this.

]]> By: Silvia Chang http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-93435 Silvia Chang Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:14:42 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-93435 If you click the link to the Globe and Mail article about the house, you'll also read this: "The original stucco has been painted concrete grey - as much an effort to keep intact some of the "original architectural DNA," as Mr. Matis puts it, as it was a sly wink and nod to the 1960s ugly duckling." If you click the link to the Globe and Mail article about the house, you’ll also read this:

“The original stucco has been painted concrete grey – as much an effort to keep intact some of the “original architectural DNA,” as Mr. Matis puts it, as it was a sly wink and nod to the 1960s ugly duckling.”

]]> By: Silvia Chang http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-93430 Silvia Chang Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:08:00 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-93430 Anne, There's a lot left of the original Vancouver Special, and it's really easy to see. The front door is in the same place, the balcony is in the same place, the windows are in the same place, and the second floor is still slightly cantilevered over the first floor. What more "echo" do you want? Anne,

There’s a lot left of the original Vancouver Special, and it’s really easy to see.

The front door is in the same place, the balcony is in the same place, the windows are in the same place, and the second floor is still slightly cantilevered over the first floor.

What more “echo” do you want?

]]> By: anne http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-93393 anne Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:14:53 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-93393 It's a lovely home but there's absolutely nothing left of the "Vancouver special" part of the home. It would have been nice to see an echo of the previous design, which is part of Vancouver's architectural history, like it or not. It’s a lovely home but there’s absolutely nothing left of the “Vancouver special” part of the home. It would have been nice to see an echo of the previous design, which is part of Vancouver’s architectural history, like it or not.

]]> By: perry http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-93383 perry Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:39:09 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-93383 trained angora guinea pigs - will fetch your keys & dust at the same time. nice work. i've previously envisioned setting up a company that specializes in 'vancouver special' contemporization renos. they're a blight on the city's architectural landscape, and for the betterment of society, i believe this to be a noble cause. i'm currently accepting donations for startup costs... trained angora guinea pigs – will fetch your keys & dust at the same time.

nice work. i’ve previously envisioned setting up a company that specializes in ‘vancouver special’ contemporization renos. they’re a blight on the city’s architectural landscape, and for the betterment of society, i believe this to be a noble cause. i’m currently accepting donations for startup costs…

]]> By: Eric http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/02/vancouver-special-renovation-by-iconstrux-architecture/#comment-93307 Eric Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:58:15 +0000 http://www.contemporist.com/?p=3483#comment-93307 Really cool, but what happens if you drop something down behind the stairs? Really cool, but what happens if you drop something down behind the stairs?

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