The Wall That Defined a Penthouse

Project Case Study

Coquitlam , British Columbia

Project Overview

This modern penthouse had the height, natural light, and urban views buyers look for, but inside, the living room felt visually unresolved. A long, double-height white wall dominated the space, offering no architectural rhythm or lighting. The homeowners needed a focal point that would elevate the home’s identity and resale appeal.

The Client’s Challenge

The scale of the wall made furnishing difficult, and the absence of lighting left the room feeling flat and underwhelming.

Their question was simple and urgent: “How do we turn this into a space buyers remember?”

Design Insight

Instead of filling the room with more furniture or décor, the design direction focused on transforming the most intimidating element - the blank wall itself. The solution needed to feel modern, minimal, and built-in, not added on.

The Transformation Strategy

Defining the Feature
Book-matched white marble with deep honey and brown movement was selected to create a statement, continuity and visual drama without overwhelming the space.
Creating the Composition
A slim, three-inch linear fireplace introduced balance, warmth, and architectural intention - without competing for attention.
Controlling the Vertical Volume
A floating walnut panel near the ceiling added contrast and proportion, visually “framing” the height of the wall.
Reimagining Lighting
Concealed cove lighting washed the marble and ceiling in a soft glow, creating depth, ambience, and evening presence.
Grounding the Feature Wall
Every Fireplace needs a hearth - and so did this one. Creation of a 3D hearth grounded the Wall and gave new life to the room.

Material Palette

✅ Bookmatched natural marble slabs

✅ Walnut architectural millwork

✅ Three-inch recessed linear fireplace

✅ Integrated LED cove lighting

✅ Matte black audiovisual components

Before + After

Before: A blank white surface absorbing natural light, visually disconnecting the living area.

After: A sculpted architectural moment: warm, modern, and emotionally resonant.

The Emotional Moment

When the lighting was first turned on, the entire room shifted! The client looked at the wall, paused, and whispered, “Now it feels like a home someone could fall in love with.”

Outcomes

The intervention created a striking and memorable focal point that immediately anchored the space. By refining proportion, scale, and lighting relationships, the overall volume later felt deliberate rather than accidental. The result was a more cohesive architectural presence that elevated perceived property value and strengthened marketability. Most importantly, the renewed space carried a modern, sophisticated identity appropriate to a penthouse setting: Confident, Restrained, and Architecturally Resolved.

Design Philosophy

Great design does not always require adding more elements; it requires clarity of intent. When one decision is made with precision, grounded in proportion, context, and purpose it can recalibrate the entire narrative of a home. This project demonstrated that a single, intentional move can shift perception, strengthen identity, and bring coherence to the space as a whole.