Projects

When our clients approached PURE Residential after the devastating loss of their previous garage to a fire, their vision reached far beyond simply rebuilding. They didn’t want a like-for-like replacement. Instead, they saw an opportunity to create something bigger, more intentional, and deeply meaningful: a custom-built garage topped by a beautiful carriage suite, a space that would not only restore functionality but also enrich their property and lives.

The result is the Thorncliffe Sky Suite, a 772 sq ft double-car garage crowned by a warm and elegant 750 sq ft living space. More than just an accessory building, this project is a testament to resilience, purpose-driven design, and the transformative power of thoughtful craftsmanship.

Location: Thorncliffe, Calgary, Alberta
Type: Custom detached garage + carriage suite
Size:

• Double-car garage: 772 sq ft
• Carriage suite above: 750 sq ft

Suite Program:

• Two bedrooms with walk-in closets
• One full bathroom with custom cabinetry
• Full kitchen with custom cabinetry and new appliances
• In-suite laundry (stackable washer/dryer)
• Living area with generous natural light
• Storage closets and built-ins

Key Services & Scope:

• Structural engineering
• Architectural and interior design
• Custom millwork (cabinetry, vanities, closets)
• Exterior detailing to seamlessly integrate with the main property
• Project management from concept through to completion

The clients came to us not just with the emotional weight of losing their garage, but with a clear, forward-looking ambition. They didn’t envision a simple rebuild, they wanted to transform their setback into an asset. Their goals were layered:

1. Functionality & Efficiency: Replacing lost parking with a double-car garage meant more than shelter for vehicles, it was about generating space they could use fully, both now and in the future.
2. Long-term Vision: By building upward, they saw the potential for a carriage suite creating independent living quarters that would serve as a private, self-contained home.
3. Seamless Design Integration: The new structure needed to feel like part of the property, not an afterthought. It had to align architecturally and aesthetically with their existing home.
4. Quality & Craftsmanship: As with all PURE Residential projects, exceptional workmanship mattered deeply. This was not a prefab box, it was a bespoke build with attention to every detail.
5. Emotional Resonance: Beyond utility, the space needed to feel like something they’d be proud of. A place of warmth, dignity, and beauty.

These ambitions required thoughtful planning, strong technical execution, and a collaborative design process.

Deep Listening, Client-Centered Design

From the outset, our process mirrored the collaborative, transparent approach that defines PURE Residential. We began with a series of discovery conversations, listening carefully to our clients’ stories, their pain points, and their dreams. What emerged was not just a need for space, but a longing for renewal to turn a loss into something purposeful.

Pre-Construction & Planning

Next came the pre-construction phase. We brought in structural engineers early to ensure the garage could support a full suite above, balancing safety, code compliance, and long-term structural integrity. We also mapped out site logistics, utilities, and how to connect services (water, sewer, electrical) to the suite, while maintaining the efficiency of the garage footprint.

At PURE Residential, we emphasize clarity and client confidence through detailed planning. Our fixed-price model meant our clients knew exactly where their investment was going, no surprises. 

Architectural & Interior Design

With a solid foundation planned, our design team moved in. We have created a two-bedroom floor plan that maximizes use of the 750 sq ft:

• An open-concept living and kitchen area bathed in natural light
• A compact but fully functional kitchen, crafted with custom cabinetry
• Thoughtful storage: closets, built-ins, and dedicated storage zones
• A streamlined bathroom and efficient in-suite laundry setup (stackable washer/dryer)
• Two bedrooms sized for comfort without excess

We designed every millwork detail from the custom vanity to the closets – to feel integrated, not added. The finishes were chosen carefully to create a sense of calm and ensure that the exterior held visual continuity across the property.

Exterior & Curb Appeal

We understood that this structure couldn’t feel like an accessory building; it needed to feel like a thoughtful part of the property. To achieve that, we designed the exterior to match and complement the architectural language of the main house: materials, trim, rooflines, and detailing were all deliberately selected to echo existing patterns.

Structural & Engineering Excellence

One of the most critical aspects of the project was ensuring the structural system could support a fully occupied living space above the garage. Working closely with our structural engineers, we designed foundations and supports that would meet safety standards while allowing for clean, uninterrupted interior spaces. This made sure the suite could feel spacious and open rather than constrained by structural compromises.

High-Quality Build & Trades

From framing to finishes, we engaged our trusted network of skilled trade partners – each committed to the same extraordinary standard of craftsmanship that defines PURE Residential’s work. Our emphasis on quality guaranteed that both the garage and suite were built to last, with solid construction, attention to detail, and finish work that elevates rather than settles for good enough.

Interior Millwork & Finishes

• Kitchen cabinetry: Custom-built, tailored to fit the suite’s proportions, with carefully selected hardware and finishes.
• Closets & storage: Designed for real-life usability, ensuring that each piece of storage feels deliberate and functional.
• Vanity & bathroom: The custom vanity enhances both aesthetics and practicality, with durable materials and refined design.
• Laundry: The stackable washer/dryer setup allows for efficient use of space without sacrificing convenience.

Natural light was a guiding principle throughout. Windows were strategically placed to bring daylight deep into the suite, creating a welcoming, warm ambiance.

Exterior Detailing

The exterior was treated with the same attention to detail: siding, trim, roofing materials, and scale were all carefully chosen to tie into the aesthetic of the main house. This wasn’t just an outbuilding, it was part of a cohesive design narrative.

The Result: A Meaningful Place

What emerged at Thorncliffe can best be described as more than a garage with a suite, it’s a purposeful living space, an architectural statement, and a deeply personal extension of home.

Here are some of the most compelling outcomes:

1. Functional Independence
   The carriage suite is fully self-sufficient: two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and laundry. It can serve as a space for guests, family, or even as a rental, giving flexibility and value to the property.
2. Emotional Resonance
   For the clients, this rebuild wasn’t just about replacing what was lost. It was about creating something they could feel proud of – a legacy built from adversity.
3. Design Harmony
   The exterior integration ensures that the structure does not feel tacked on. Instead, it’s part of a unified vision of their property, blending with existing architecture while asserting its own identity.
4. Optimized Space
   Despite its modest footprint, the suite is spacious, practical, and elegantly finished. No area feels wasted or underutilized; everything is intentional.
5. Craftsmanship Quality
   From structural integrity to millwork, the build quality meets PURE Residential’s high standards, providing both beauty and long-term durability.

For the Clients

• Emotional Healing: The project helped the homeowners transform a painful and stressful loss into a positive and tangible legacy on their property – a place they can now move forward from, one that brings them joy and purpose.
• Added Functionality: They gained not only a high-quality garage but also a completely livable suite, expanding the utility of their lot.
• Long-Term Value: Beyond the immediate emotional and functional benefits, the carriage suite adds long-term value, whether as a rental, guest space, or multigenerational home.

For PURE Residential

• Design Validation: This project exemplifies the strength of our design-build process, reinforcing how we can help clients go beyond rebuilding to reimagining.
• Craftsmanship Showcase: The work highlights our commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail, from structural integrity to millwork and finishes.
• Client Relationship: Partnering with these clients through a deeply personal journey reinforced our values of collaboration, empathy, and trust.

This project is deeply aligned with what defines PURE Residential. From the “About Us” section of our site: we’re “a close-knit team of passionate creatives, builders, and dreamers … committed to delivering the highest quality craftsmanship with personalized project management.

• Thoughtful & Purposeful Design: Rather than simply rebuilding, we collaborated to deliver a space infused with meaning and intention.
• Client-Centered Process: Through open communication, detailed preconstruction process, and a fixed-price model, we ensured the clients felt empowered, informed, and cared for. 
• Seamless Integration: In both function and aesthetics, this addition doesn’t feel separate, it feels like a natural extension of the clients’ lifestyle and property.

The Thorncliffe Sky Suite and its accompanying garage represent much more than a rebuilding effort. For the clients, it’s the culmination of loss transformed into vision, grief channeled into creativity, and a house accessory reimagined as a deeply personal dwelling.

At PURE Residential, we believe in building not just structures, but stories – stories that reflect our clients’ values, resilience, and dreams. This project stands among our most meaningful: a reminder that design and craftsmanship have the power to heal, uplift, and enrich.

We are deeply grateful to our clients for entrusting us with such an important chapter of their home journey. It was a privilege to collaborate, to design, and to build with the care, intention, and quality that defines the PURE Residential standard.