Chow Laneway

A light-filled laneway home designed to balance openness, privacy, and urban living.

Location Kensington, Calgary
Size 800 sq ft
Status Proposed

Situated on a quiet mid-block lot, Chow Laneway transforms a narrow footprint into a generous and light-filled home. The plan is organized to amplify moments of discovery and delight.

Inside, the layout is shaped around two key gestures: a stair that intersects the main floor to create a moment of pause and anticipation, and a clerestory that draws light deep into the plan. These moves bring a sense of rhythm and openness to the interior, allowing the home to unfold gradually and with intention.

Chow Laneway is a quiet study in light and space, designed to feel generous within a small footprint, and connected to the daily rhythms of the family who lives there.

The entry sequence balances openness and privacy with perforated materials that offer glimpses of light and movement. As you ascend the stairs, the home suddenly reveals itself, creating a thoughtful sense of arrival.

A key gesture in the design is how the stair intersects with the dining area, not just as circulation, but as a spatial event. The vertical volume of the stair breaks into the main floor, creating a pause, an anticipatory threshold that frames the living space. As you move through the space, the stair orchestrates a sense of unveiling, inviting you further in.

Clerestory windows and a skylight bring in natural light, making the space feel bright and open while maintaining privacy from the dense context. Shifting light throughout the day adds depth and warmth to the interior.

The bedroom and bathroom are light-filled and tranquil, designed for comfort and relaxation. Soft materials and framed views create a quiet escape within the home.