WL Design 25 Winners 2026: Elevated Tasting (Kits Point Wine Cellar)

Some wine cellars hide in the basement. This one practically steals the spotlight. In their new build in Vancouver’s Kits Point neighbourhood, the homeowners wanted a cellar beside the staircase; principal designer Stephanie Brown saw the chance to create a feature that felt more heirloom than utility. Inspired by the steel, mesh and glass of old European elevators, she designed a two-storey tower that rises through the centre of the home like a glowing, architectural keepsake.

Fabricated locally by Riddleworks, the custom steel enclosure gives the space its sense of gravitas, while Blue Grouse Wine Cellars’ racking and Ashton Mechanical’s cooling design ensure every bottle is treated with care. As the sculptural stair curves around it, the structure becomes a kind of vertical lantern with equal parts function and quiet drama.

It’s a classic gesture reimagined with confidence, turning the simple act of pulling a bottle for dinner into a small, cinematic moment.

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