We’re all about sustainability, innovation, and design solutions that help our customers get the most out of their space.

Find out more about our team, our philosophy, and our process.

Our Team

Our dedicated team is committed to using their experience and expertise to meet all of our customers’ expectations.
  • Jake Fry

    Founder/Principal

    jake@smallworks.ca

    Jake started Smallworks in late 2005 and became a strong advocate for the introduction of laneway housing. He established Smallworks Studios and Laneway Housing Inc. and worked with the City of Vancouver to help develop zoning by-laws based on his experience and interaction with literally hundreds of potential small home clients. Jake not only wanted to build small but to build sustainable. He brings together a team of dedicated people and develops homes which blend innovative techniques and incorporate modern building science and Flat Pac with hand-built finishes and millwork.

    “My desire in starting Smallworks was to build simple, elegant modern homes which, with basic maintenance, would look as good a generation after they were built as when they were new.” In 2012, Jake was one of two founding directors of SmallHousing BC, a non profit society. In 2014 Jake was named Ernst & Young’s (EY) Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing.

    Today, Jake focuses on finding new ways to broaden the range of housing types in BC to create affordable options for single-family home ownership.

  • Robbie Slade

    Director of Sales and Marketing

    rslade@smallworks.ca
  • Robin Vornweg

    Production Manager

    robin@smallworks.ca
  • Brenda Adomi

    Accountant

    accounts@smallworks.ca
  • Shanelle Currie

    Lead Designer

    shanelle@smallworks.ca
  • Autumn Riggan

    Project Designer

    autumn@smallworks.ca
  • Tiana Noureddin

    Project Designer

    tiana@smallworks.ca
  • Aleia Enders

    Production Manager & Interior Designer

    aleia@smallworks.ca
  • Cyan Pheko

    Sales and Marketing Coordinator

    cyan.pheko@smallworks.ca
  • Josh Levesque

    Sales Representative

    josh@smallworks.ca
  • Peter Pelletier

    Director of Construction

    peter@smallworks.ca
  • Cory Sayers

    Site Supervisor

    cory@smallworks.ca
  • Claudio Ance

    Site Supervisor

    claudio@smallworks.ca
  • Eugene Prudius

    Site Supervisor + Deficiency Carpenter

    eugene@smallworks.ca
  • Mathieson McCrae

    Carpenter

    mathieson@smallworks.ca
  • Dylan Berry

    Carpenter

    dylan@smallworks.ca
  • Sean Coughlan

    Construction + Service Support

    sean@smallworks.ca
  • Eli Keshane

    Carpentry Apprentice

    eli@smallworks.ca
  • Want to join our team? Check out our latest job postings.

Our Philosophy

At the core of every Smallworks home lies our design philosophy. It guides every step of our process, creating livable, flexible spaces adapted to your unique needs and lifestyle.
  • Activate the Lane

    

We strive to contribute to a “laneway culture” by fostering a sense of place and character within the lane; encouraging outward living by bringing the lane community to life by providing eyes on the lane and plantings at your door, while reserving a private place at the transition point into your lane home, building a sense of security and community along the lane.

  • Create Layers of Privacy

    
It is very important to allow a gradual sense of arrival while making the transition from a public to private space. Our designs create that sense of security as you cross into your private domain from the City lane or approach your Smallworks lane home from the garden.

  • Shape the Light

    Using our natural light source—the sun—we optimize window location, creating a dynamic play of light throughout the day and providing plenty of light for low energy use during the daylight hours.

  • Be Flexible and Adapt



    Our incredibly diverse demographic requires flexible, adaptable plans designed to meet the needs of a variety of unique individuals. Our plans allow you to encapsulate in your lane home what is most important to you. Your home becomes an opportunity for expression, meeting your current living needs while keeping in mind that those needs may change over time.

  • Salute the Arts

    Creating pride in homeownership and in our community is important to us. We believe in shining a “spotlight” on the artisans and crafts people who help create our homes. Each unique lane home is a showcase for those artisans, as well as an authentic expression of
the owner.