Elevated Living

What was the challenge?

The renovation was initiated to support a senior couple planning to age in place, particularly addressing the wife’s mobility challenges in their four‑storey Belcarra home. Their existing stair‑lift only reached two levels, making daily movement difficult and unsafe. Along with mobility concerns, the homeowners were dealing with a dysfunctional kitchen and drafty upper floors. While the original plan focused on renovating the kitchen, it quickly became clear that a more comprehensive approach was needed to ensure long‑term comfort, accessibility, and livability.

What was delivered?

To meet these needs, the project transformed the entire home with major structural and functional upgrades. A new exterior elevator shaft was added to accommodate a Garaventa elevator that opens to all four floors and connects to a backup generator for reliability. The main floor was extensively reconstructed due to undersized beams and unlevel floors, which were raised and levelled by two inches. The kitchen was redesigned and relocated to expand its footprint, featuring warm oak cabinetry, a contrasting blue island oriented toward the view, Caesarstone countertops, and a generous walk‑in pantry. Walls were removed, hallways widened, and the entry and stair areas reconfigured—resulting in improved flow, abundant natural light, and a striking cedar‑accented foyer. Throughout the home, upgrades included new windows and doors, vinyl plank flooring that complements existing bamboo, radiant in‑floor heating, a new HRV system, and high‑efficiency appliances. Despite challenges such as steep site access and significant leveling issues, the renovation seamlessly integrated the new elevator, enhanced accessibility, and created a modern, functional space tailored to the homeowners’ needs.