For a young family relocating from the Prairies, Neoteric House represented both a fresh start on Vancouver’s North Shore and a rare opportunity to engage with the legacy of Fred Hollingsworth, one of the region’s most celebrated modern architects.
Idea
Designed in 1949 as part of Hollingsworth’s semi-modular Neoteric series, the home exemplifies early post-and-beam construction, with glass stretching from front to back. It had undergone substantial renovations in the 1970s and 1990s, and the brief was to recapture its original clarity while thoughtfully adapting the spaces to support the daily life of a busy family of four.
Build
The renovation focused on the central spaces of the house – The renovation focused on the central spaces of the house—kitchen, dining, living, and powder room—with precision to avoid disturbing the exterior walls. The hearth, an anchoring element of the original design, was preserved, while the kitchen was repositioned as the true centre heart of the home. A generous island now serves as a daily gathering place for meals, homework and conversation.
The dining room was relocated to a former sunroom to capture abundant natural light, while the previous dining space was absorbed into the expanded kitchen. The entry sequence was also reimagined, providing a more intentional transition between front and rear of the home. Together, these interventions reinforce clarity of movement and support the evolving patterns of family life.
The design drew inspiration from the original tongue-and-groove woodwork, reinterpreting it in a brighter, lighter tone to bring a sense of luminosity—particularly vital in North Vancouver’s rainy climate. Discreet lighting was woven into the exposed roof structure, enhancing both warmth and clarity. Custom wooden doors were detailed to sit flush with the surrounding millwork, emphasizing the home’s geometry.
The kitchen was carefully deconstructed, with cabinetry donated to Habitat for Humanity, while the expansive 1990s slate flooring was capped with a thin concrete overlay, avoiding landfill waste. These strategies allowed the project to tread lightly while still achieving a refined contemporary transformation.
Live
The renovation was conceived not as a rigid preservation exercise, but as thoughtful stewardship, The renovation was conceived not as a rigid preservation exercise, but as thoughtful stewardship—supporting the family in making bold, personal choices while extending the legacy and life of the building for generations to come.After a year of construction, the result is a home that feels neither frozen in time nor disrupted by modern interventions. Instead, it stands as a vessel for contemporary family life—respectful of its architectural heritage, yet adapted to the needs of its new occupants.
