A transformative approach to urban living is unfolding across cities in North America, offering modern families a novel way to rethink their housing needs. Laneway homes, a concept that has been gaining momentum across Canada and the United States for the last 20 years, have finally made their way to Burnaby.
But what exactly does this mean for Burnaby homeowners? Smallworks, a pioneer of laneway housing and seasoned advocate for these innovative homes, sheds light on the significance of this new form of housing in our municipal landscape.
“Laneway homes are not just additional structures in one's backyard. As a new addition to the last 90 years of single-family zoning, they represent a revolution in flexible, creative housing solutions,” says Jake Fry, founder of Smallworks.
For the Burnaby community, it means a versatile solution to the city's growing need for diverse and sustainable housing options. For families, this means an unprecedented opportunity to rethink their housing needs.
One of the most compelling advantages of laneway homes is the ability to foster multigenerational living. This living arrangement, once a staple of past generations, is being revisited by families looking for creative ways to ensure housing security across generations.
Having built over 400 laneway homes throughout the Lower Mainland, Smallworks knows firsthand the impact these homes can have and their promise remains the same to Burnaby homeowners; beautiful, timeless homes that make the most out of your space in whatever way is most meaningful to you.
Take the Megannetys, a Vancouver family that recently added a laneway home to their property. "My daughter, who was living in England, came back to Canada so I offered the house for them to live in and we shared it together and decided that they all needed more room,” says Paul Megannety. “So I thought, well, we will get together and build a laneway house. They get to have a house and a yard, I get to live close to them. And I expect they’ll look after me in my golden years, of course!"
"Our goal is to create spaces that enhance the way families live," explains Fry. "We focus on innovative designs that make small spaces feel elegant and functional. We take a client-forward approach to building high-quality, honest homes. Our clients are often amazed by how spacious and fresh a humble home in the backyard can feel."
The introduction of laneway homes may not be the fix to all of Burnaby’s housing needs, but it is much more than a bandaid; it's a strategic response to the growing need for housing options and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get more out of what is many families biggest asset, their land.
Go to www.smallworks.ca for more information
