Finalist, 2026 GOHBA Housing Design Awards

Split Level, Reimagined

An Ottawa split-level, rethought from the inside out for easier living on every level. We designed it in 3D, handled the permits and managed every trade, from the layout to the gardens.

GOHBA 2026 Housing Design Awards finalist
The finished split-level: light brick, large windows and new landscaping

The project

Easier living on every level

A split-level home puts a few steps between almost every part of the day. This one was rethought from the inside out, so each level works better for the people who live there.

It is our accessible whole-home renovation, and it is a finalist in two categories at the 2026 Housing Design Awards of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, including Alternative or Adaptive Spaces.

What the finished home includes

  • Open main-floor living with wide openings between rooms
  • A curbless walk-in shower
  • A kitchen built around a large island
  • Large windows, new stucco and brick, a stone patio and gardens

Before, design, after

From the first drawing to the finished house

The split-level before the renovationBefore
The front of the house before work began.
Our 3D design of the renovated split-levelOur design
Our 3D design of the new front.
The finished split-level: light brick, large windows and new landscapingAfter
The finished front, with new brick, windows and gardens.

The back of the house

The back of the split-level before the renovation: white siding, small windows and a worn patio
Before
The same view after: stucco and brick, large black-framed windows, a new stone patio and gardens
After

What we did

One team, from design to gardens

We are a managed service, so one team carried the project from the 3D design to the last planting.

  • Designed it in 3D
  • Handled the permits
  • Managed every trade, from the layout to the gardens

Room by room

The finished home

A curbless walk-in shower with a glass panel beside a wood double vanity
Bathroom. A curbless walk-in shower behind a single glass panel, level with the bathroom floor.
A wood double vanity with two dark basins under a wide mirror, beside a tiled shower with a wall niche
Bathroom. A wood double vanity with open shelving below, next to the shower's tiled wall niche.
A kitchen with a large white quartz island, copper pendant lights and dark cabinets
Kitchen. A kitchen built around a large island, with seating along one side.
A bright living room with leather sofas and floor-to-ceiling windows onto the garden
Main-floor living. Large windows bring the garden into the room.
A living room with leather sofas, a wood feature wall and large windows on three sides looking onto the garden
Main-floor living. Windows on three sides, and a glass door out to the garden.
A long dining table with red cushioned chairs, open to a bright sitting area with a glass door to the garden
Dining. The dining room opens straight into the living space.
The dining table seen from one end, with the kitchen island on the left and the living room beyond
Dining. Kitchen, dining and living on one open floor.
A long dining table with red cushioned chairs beside the kitchen island, with the living room and its large windows beyond
Dining. From the dining table: the kitchen on one side, the living room straight ahead.
A hallway with light oak floors and a wood and metal stair railing, opening onto the dining room
Hallway and stairs. Light oak floors and a wood and metal railing at the stairs.
A family room with a slatted wood media wall and a large window onto the garden
Family room. A slatted wood media wall and a large window onto the garden.
A family room with oak floors, a sectional sofa, a slatted media wall and a new wood staircase with black metal spindles
Family room. Oak floors run through the family room to a new wood and metal staircase.
A wide window looking out onto mature trees and a garden with white hydrangeas
Family room. The view from the family room window.
A large stone patio with an outdoor dining table, new garden beds and wide stone steps
Backyard. A new stone patio and gardens at the back of the house.
The side of the house: light brick, large black-framed windows, a wood-look garage door and raised garden beds
Exterior. Light brick, large black-framed windows and raised garden beds.
GOHBA 2026 Housing Design Awards finalist

43rd GOHBA Housing Design Awards

A finalist in two categories

The Housing Design Awards are organized by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association.

  • Alternative or Adaptive Spaces
  • Renovation ($400,001 to $600,000)
The judges
A national panel of builders, renovators, architects, planners, interior designers and educators. Entries are judged online and anonymously on design, functionality, innovation and execution.
The gala
Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Rogers Centre Ottawa, where the winners are announced.
About the award
How finalists are chosen, with more photos
Source
GOHBA Housing Design Awards

Your home

The same thinking, at any size

Not every home needs a whole-home renovation. The question is the same for a single bathroom as for a whole house: what would make each day easier here, and how do we make it look like it was always there?

See more of our work.

Planning changes at home?

Request online, or call and talk it through with us.

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