John Gower Design

  • Built Projects
  • Stock Plan Catalogue
  • About
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Is sustainability a luxury? Is luxury sustainable?

June 17, 2015 By John Gower Leave a Comment

People often ask me, “What does it cost to build green?” My usual answer is that it depends on why you’re doing it. If you really want to lighten your load on the planet, and an energy-efficient home is just one of the changes you’re willing to make to truly reduce your impact, then it will likely cost the same or less than a “conventional” home. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a way to maintain a “business as usual” affluent western lifestyle, but with smaller energy bills and a lighter conscience, then it’s likely going to cost substantially more than a regular home. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Sustainable Design, Sustainable Lifestyles

Earth Day 2015: Meaningful agency in a runaway world

April 22, 2015 By John Gower Leave a Comment

Earth Day is here again, and I’ve got a few words for the faint of heart. We can all agree that there’s much to love about this planet, and we know how threatened it is by forces seemingly beyond our control. People can almost be divided into two camps: those who believe that we can ameliorate the dangers, and those who feel helpless. Without offering some grandiose vision full of unrealistic hopes, I’d like to say a few personal words to the latter group about “meaningful agency”. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Energy Efficiency, Future-Proofing, Sustainable Design, Sustainable Lifestyles

The good, the bad, and the hopelessly trendy

February 25, 2015 By John Gower Leave a Comment

It’s time to talk about designing for longevity. This is an important component of sustainable design. For a home that will age gracefully, choose a classic style and use the best quality materials that fit your budget. Now, let’s look at each of these two points more closely. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Future-Proofing, Sustainable Design

Designing a Resilient Home: more thoughts

January 19, 2015 By John Gower Leave a Comment

There’s no doubt that climate change and tapped-out fossil fuel supplies are presenting challenges that our forebears never imagined. In such times, we need to build for resilience. During extreme weather (or seismic) events, will your house keep you warm, dry and safe? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Energy Efficiency, Future-Proofing, Sustainable Design

Design for the 95%

December 18, 2014 By John Gower Leave a Comment

I often talk about “building small” as a good strategy for sustainable living. But what does “small” mean? These days, the average new Canadian home, built for 2-3 people, measures 2,000 square feet. I define a small house as one that minimizes space per person while allowing a comfortable lifestyle for its occupants. About 1,200 square feet or less for a couple, or under 1,500 square feet for a family with kids, would fit this criterion. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Energy Efficiency, Future-Proofing, Sustainable Design, Sustainable Lifestyles

The ‘Dinosaur Home’: heading for extinction

December 15, 2014 By John Gower 2 Comments

One of our oldest human institutions is the home. For as long as our species has existed, we’ve occupied spaces and made them our own. As we’ve evolved, so have the form and concept of “home,” giving rise to the detached, single-family dwelling that eventually became normative for many people. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Energy Efficiency, Future-Proofing, Sustainable Design, Sustainable Lifestyles

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 7
  • Next Page »

Our Clients Say…

John Gower provided the designs for a renovation to our 70 year old house. He designed a home that is energy efficient, durable, safe and beautiful. We cherish its simplicity, the connection it allows us to maintain with our community and the heritage feel that we were able to preserve. He made the process fun, thoughtful and productive. The sustainability of the design work that he provided will allow the house to be enjoyed for many more years.
Suzanne W.Comox, BC
View all testimonials
We hired John Gower Design to design an energy efficient Arts & Crafts style home for us. Working with John was an enjoyable and productive experience. He took our ideas and made them a reality. We found John’s strengths to be his sense of space and proportion and his willingness to listen to our ideas. We have lived in the house for two years and are continually amazed at how well the house works and its comfort and beauty.
Ross N.Victoria, BC
View all testimonials
What an amazing experience to be part of designing a home to suit our lot! We had looked at house plans for months and could find nothing that we liked. Within ten minutes you had ideas for a plan that would fit the location and not destroy the natural surroundings. You are so knowledgeable about the whole building experience, not just the designing. We liked the way you interacted with our contractors. They said they thought you were very down to earth and had obviously done some building yours… Read more
Bob & Judy P.Big Lake, BC
View all testimonials
Every time someone asks me about the design for our house, I tell them how great you were to work with and how you took my attempts to change things and made them happen on paper. Thanks so much!
Constance and Lee
View all testimonials
Your building plans worked fine for us and there were no issues of any size… We moved in here in Dec.2013 and find the house well laid out and easy to live in. Our dealings with your company were straight forward and presented no problems. All in all a good choice for us.
HelmutChilliwack, BC
View all testimonials
We worked with John Gower Design on a ‘contemporary craftsman’ style custom waterfront home. His drawings were thorough, well thought out and the assemblies worked well. He responded quickly to our requests for clarification and we collaborated well to refine the specifications as we built. We would be pleased to work with John Gower Designs again.
Kevin F. (Builder)Duncan, BC
View all testimonials
John was our house designer for a property on a steep site on the water. We wanted something modern and a bit unusual and he provided that. He was respectful of our needs and our wishes and designed a lovely and functional home. Working with him was a pleasure. He made several site visits and as well we met with him several times at his office. As well he took part in sourcing material that was hard to find. I would recommend him to anyone. We had no problems re deadlines or budget. The house wa… Read more
Kathryn W.Pender Harbour, BC
View all testimonials
Everyone loves our plans and I have referred you to a number of people who are planning to build.
Zoltan & Jane K.Sakinaw Lake, BC
View all testimonials
Everything is the way it should be.  You designed us an amazing, perfect house which nestles into the landscape and gives us endless opportunities to enjoy this special piece of the world. Thank you!!!!
Mark S. & Laura M.Duncan, BC
View all testimonials
We’ve been living in it for a year now and are really pleased with the design and the final product. I can’t thank you enough for the extra work you did designing the downstairs living space. It is a perfect floor plan and very roomy. I can’t believe all that we are able to fit in there.  We hope that you are still designing houses when we build our next house!
Patricia B.California
View all testimonials

Let’s get started on your dream home.

We have the passion and the expertise
to make it a reality.

Contact Us Today!

212 - 2459 Cousins Avenue | Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada | V9N 3N6

Tel: 250.871.8765 | Toll-free: 1.877.366.2502

  • Facebook
  • Houzz

Copyright © 2023 John Gower Design