Our Projects - Jade Quintavorn Architecture

These aren't your typical before-and-after posts. We're pulling back the curtain on how we actually think through each challenge - the messy parts included. You'll see our process documentation, client conversations that shifted everything, and those "aha" moments that made each project special.

Completed 2023

The Westbrook Passive House

Turning a drafty 1970s rancher into a net-zero energy home without losing its character

The Challenge

The clients loved their neighborhood but hated their heating bills. This place was bleeding energy from every corner - single-pane windows, zero insulation, and a layout that made no sense for how they actually lived. They wanted something radical but didn't wanna tear down memories their kids grew up with.

Our Approach

We kept the bones but basically rebuilt everything else. Added a second story using cross-laminated timber (way lighter on the existing foundation), then wrapped the whole thing in a super-insulated envelope. The tricky part? Maintaining airflow without compromising the passive house standards. Took us three design iterations to nail it.

Key Specs

→ 92% reduction in heating costs
→ Triple-glazed European windows throughout
→ Heat recovery ventilation system
→ 8.5kW solar array on south-facing roof
→ Rainwater harvesting for garden irrigation

Before

After

Process Documentation

Week 1: Initial sketches exploring massing options

Month 3: CLT installation for second story addition

Month 5: Triple-layer insulation wrap

Month 9: Final interiors with natural finishes

What We Learned

Honestly? Passive house certification in an existing structure is way harder than starting fresh. But watching the clients' first winter bill come in at $40 for the whole month made every headache worth it. Also learned that explaining air exchange systems to homeowners requires way better analogies than we had.

Completed 2022

Capilano Forest Retreat

Building among old-growth cedars without disturbing a single root system

The Challenge

This lot was basically a hillside covered in 200-year-old trees. The clients bought it specifically for those trees and made it crystal clear - if we killed one, they'd find another architect. No pressure, right? Plus the slope was steep enough that conventional foundation work would've meant massive excavation.

Our Approach

We brought in an arborist before the engineer - that's how seriously we took this. Ended up designing around a pin-beam foundation system that basically tiptoes between root zones. The house hovers above the forest floor on these precise points, letting the ecosystem underneath keep doing its thing. Hand-dug every foundation spot with an arborist supervising.

Project Highlights

→ Zero tree removal during construction
→ Elevated pin-beam foundation system
→ Floor-to-ceiling glass facing forest views
→ Green roof blending with canopy
→ Geothermal heating/cooling system

Original site

Living spaces

Build Timeline

Pre-construction: Root mapping with ground-penetrating radar

Month 2: Hand-dug pin foundations installed

Month 4: Steel frame assembly via crane

Month 8: Native plant green roof planted

Lessons Learned

Working with nature's constraints instead of bulldozing through them actually makes for better architecture. Yeah, it took longer and cost more upfront, but the clients wake up every morning inside a living forest. Also learned that you can't rush arborists - they work on tree time, not construction schedules. Worth every delayed timeline meeting.

Completed 2023

Kitsilano Laneway Revival

Transforming a forgotten garage into a multigenerational living space

The Story

Young family needed space for grandma but couldn't afford to move. They had this sad old garage out back that was basically storing broken bikes and Christmas decorations. City just changed laneway housing bylaws, so timing was perfect. The catch? It's a tiny 18x24 foot footprint and grandma's pretty particular about her light and air quality.

Design Strategy

Went vertical instead of spreading out. Two stories plus a roof deck that's become the whole family's hangout spot. Put the living areas on the second floor where the light's best, bedroom on main with its own private garden access. Used a ton of clerestory windows to pull natural light deep into the space. The air quality thing? Built-in HEPA filtration and tonnes of cross-ventilation options.

Space Solutions

→ 650 sq ft living space over two floors
→ Japanese-inspired flexible room dividers
→ Built-in storage throughout
→ Accessible main floor bedroom/bath
→ Rooftop garden with city views

The old garage

New living space

From Garage to Home

Day 1: Demo revealed solid foundation to build on

Week 3: Framing the second story addition

Week 6: Floor-to-ceiling windows going in

Week 10: Rooftop deck becomes family favorite

Real Talk

Small spaces are way harder to design than big ones - there's nowhere to hide your mistakes. Every inch counts, every choice matters. But watching this family stay together instead of splitting up because of housing costs? That's the kind of project that reminds you why you got into architecture. Plus grandma's grown tomatoes on that roof deck that put ours to shame.

Completed 2022

The North Shore Net-Zero

Building a family home that produces more energy than it uses

The Mission

Clients were engineers who came with spreadsheets and serious sustainability goals. They wanted a home that'd not just be carbon-neutral but actually give back to the grid. Four kids, two dogs, and a desire to prove you don't have to sacrifice comfort for environmental responsibility. Oh, and they wanted it to look good - not like a science experiment.

Technical Approach

This was basically an energy-nerd's dream project. Started with passive solar orientation, then layered on every efficiency measure that made sense. 12kW solar array, battery storage system, super-insulated walls, triple-pane everything. The heating/cooling runs on a ground-source heat pump that's honestly kinda magical. Took about 20 energy models to dial in the right balance.

Performance Stats

→ 115% energy offset (feeds excess to grid)
→ R-60 roof insulation, R-40 walls
→ Thermal bridge-free construction
→ Greywater recycling for toilets/landscape
→ LED lighting throughout with daylight sensors

Breaking ground

Heart of the home

Building Journey

Design phase: Testing solar angles with physical models

Month 4: Installing super-insulation envelope

Month 8: Solar array and battery system

Year 1: First surplus energy check arrives

What This Taught Us

Net-zero isn't just about stacking technologies - it's about designing a system where everything works together. The clients' kids now give tours to their friends' parents, explaining how their house makes electricity. That's the kind of education you can't buy. Also learned that when you hit your energy targets and the utility company actually sends you money? That's a pretty sweet feeling for everyone involved.

Got a challenging site or big sustainability goals?

We're always up for projects that push us to think differently. If you've got a tricky lot, ambitious energy targets, or just wanna build something that respects the land it sits on - let's talk.

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