About

A small design studio based in North Vancouver, British Columbia providing personalized service in the design of custom single-family homes with the intent of creating distinctive buildings with a unique architectural character driven by environmental stewardship and the subtleties of place.

We pride ourselves on being relaxed and approachable with the rigorousness of our character being expressed through the thoroughness of our work. We are passionate about what we do. Beautiful homes and satisfied clients are the essential outcomes for us.

Kevin Vallely, Principal

Kevin has worked as a designer for several notable architectural practices in Vancouver and abroad where he’s been project designer on a wide variety of projects including a sports facility at Bishop’s College in rural Quebec that received its ribbon-cutting from Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh and a secondary school in Glenrosa, West Kelowna that won the CEFPI award for top middle school in North America. In 2008 Kevin started his own design business focused exclusively on the design of contemporary single-family homes.

Kevin graduated from the McGill University School of Architecture in 1988 where he was awarded the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Medal as the top-graduating student. He received a Commonwealth Scholarship to Cambridge University the following year.

Kevin writes a bi-weekly column for the North Shore News newspaper where he gives readers information and advice on renovation and building matters. When not pursuing his passion for design, Kevin dons the hat of an internationally recognized adventurer/explorer. In 2009 he and two teammates broke the world record for the fastest an unsupported trek to the Geographic South Pole.

builder | ECON GROUP CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT LTD.

A Vancouver-based, medium sized design-build firm in its 11th year of business, positioned as the only explicitly modern residential contractor in the Greater Vancouver area. By executing minimalist details of modern architecture through a lens of environmental responsibility we actualize low-impact, simple beauty. Our core commitment to sustainability and balance extends to the atmosphere of our work spaces. Fully committed to on-site gender equity Econ’s crew of work-men and -women are personable, well educated, highly efficient and detail-conscious.

While we focus our work in the Vancouver area, our past work on the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and beyond means we are always open to considering any stimulating, modern projects farther afield.

Michael Dutson , Principal

Econ Group’s co-Principal, acts as Project Manager on the Cliffhanger House. With 22 years of construction experience Michael’s time-tested expertise lies within project management and logistics. Michael’s warm communication style and thorough knowledge of the industry’s innovations and products makes him the perfect consultant for the truly holistic process of building your home. Michael is CanPHI Passive House and Built Green certified, and holds a Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering from BCIT.

Carey Brown, Cliffhanger’s Site Foreman, joined the Econ team in 2009 and has been a strong lead on uniquely challenging sites ever since. Most recently completing construction on another Deep Cove home site dropping 160 feet within its 320 foot length, Carey’s certification as a Canadian Home Builders’ Association Project Manager has been well-honed. When not delving deeply into his long-standing passion of architecture, design and building, Carey plays top-level (championship winning even!) recreational men’s league hockey.

With a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Vienna, Patricia Lubensky, Operations Manager, brings to Econ Group 13 years of experience within the fields of technical account management and control, software development and IT system administration. A passionate yogi and mother of two, Patricia’s attention to detail and thorough communication style makes her the perfect fit within the Econ team. On the Cliffhanger House, Patricia is in charge of cost tracking and budget analysis.

Dalit Holzman, Econ’s Manager of Communications and Marketing, came to Econ in 2011, freshly returned from a five-year stint on Vancouver Island. Through her 2 years as Manager of Operations, Customer Service and Marketing at Natural Pod (Canada’s leading manufacturer/online-retailer of natural toys) and founding of the Vancouver Mommy Map and Co-op Radio’s It Takes a Village, Dalit’s foundation within her job-description is solid. On the Cliffhanger House, Dalit is in charge of scheduling and change orders, and leads the team in its involvement on the project’s ongoing Blog.