A Small Corner in Kitsilano
Last weekend, I was walking through Kitsilano when a small corner on West 1st Avenue, near Cypress Street, caught my eye.
It is a lively part of the neighbourhood, with local shops, cafés and restaurants. People were walking dogs, pushing strollers and stopping to talk. A small restaurant on the corner reminded me of Tokyo. Beside it stood The Cut Fashion Design Academy, a narrow three-storey building with large windows facing the street.
The entrance sits slightly below grade, bringing the first-floor windows close to sidewalk level. People passing by can see students cutting fabric and working on fashion designs. On the second floor, mannequins and studio tables are also visible.
I liked that the building did not hide its activity. The work inside became part of the street. It gave the building personality and made me curious.
The generous sidewalk leaves room for strollers, dog walkers and small groups to pause without blocking others. West 1st Avenue feels like a neighbourhood main street. It has one travel lane in each direction, curbside parking and buildings close enough to create a comfortable sense of enclosure.
The next day, I sat at my drawing board and sketched the building. I tried to remember the windows, the change in grade, the landscaping and the relationship between the building and the sidewalk. Drawing helps me slow down, study a place and understand why it feels inviting.
I want to continue recording places like this. I am especially interested in neighbourhoods where detached houses are gradually changing into ground-oriented infill housing, townhouses, small apartment buildings and mixed-use streets.
More housing does not need to erase neighbourhood character. Good design can help new buildings fit into an existing area while adding homes, businesses and activity.
The details matter: windows at eye level, entrances facing the street, thoughtful landscaping and enough space for people to walk or pause.
Yesterday, I spoke with my friend Ivan Lopez, who now works in Chile. We both graduated from the Master of Urban Design program at UC Berkeley. We agreed that good design is rare and that, when change comes, we need to make the effort to get it right.
Urban planners work within rules and often make decisions under tight timelines. At times, we can become gatekeepers, especially when a proposal introduces unfamiliar forms or larger building massing.
But planners are not only regulators. We are also designers and problem-solvers. Our role is not simply to apply rules. It is to understand their purpose, explore reasonable alternatives and help create better outcomes.
We should keep asking simple questions: Does the building feel welcoming? Does it connect with the street? Can people see signs of life inside? Does it add something positive to the neighbourhood?
This small corner in Kitsilano reminded me that planning is not only about managing change. It is also about noticing what works and helping new development become a good neighbour.
