Balmoral Ave

Addition and interior alterations to reenergize a Georgian house, boldly connecting the kitchen to the garden and creating crisp and light interiors.

East Gwillimbury

New House

SITUATION A retired couple has purchased a 10-acre lot and wish to construct a country house. The lot has treed and open areas, and a seasonal water course. The water table is close to the ground surface and flooding is a long-term risk. The house site is in sunlight at all times of the day. The couple has not stated style preferences but is open to the idea of a passive solar house.

SOLUTION With the presence of wet ground and the intent to use hydronic heating it is decided to build a slab on grade. Ground source geothermal provides heat, and to take advantage of sun and view, the house is organized as a long low space facing south, with smaller service spaces along the north, east and west walls. High windows at key locations provide venting and light from above.

RESULT The initial inspiration from local farm buildings led to a house arranged to guard against winter wind and make the most of sunlight. The long central space with double height at each end operates as a solar volume between tall vents. Windows placed high to all compass points create continually changing light and mark the changing conditions of light and weather.

Bethune Blvd

New House

A contemporary design with large glass areas at the ground level and a double height entry and stair hall with double height glass. The design set up specific views to the lake from the 2nd floor and developed connections between the building levels and landscape at the rear garden. Approvals included RNFP and Building Permit. 3500sf of living space plus garage, and replacement of an existing pool.

Broadview Ave

SITUATION A downtown Toronto house with ground floor divided into entry hall, living, dining and kitchen. The existing kitchen is tiny and isolated from house and garden. The family is active, with working parents and three young boys. They desire a space where meals can be prepared and eaten comfortably, the family can gather, and homework can be done, a space with strong visual impact.

SOLUTION An addition to the rear is created to connect the house on two levels to a back garden and pool. Part of the existing kitchen space plus new addition produce a large volume for kitchen, island and eating counter, connecting stair to basement and yard, and connection to the house interior. A large glass patio door, glass entry and skylight introduce light and view into the house.

RESULT The new kitchen volume refocuses life at the rear of the house. The spaciousness, ease of use, ample light and multiple views make it a relaxing and interesting place to be. The materials are tough, modern, and elegant, durable enough for family use and refined enough for entertaining business colleagues. The space invites the robust life of an active family with an accomplished air.

De Grassi St

Addition of space to a compact house on a small urban lot while maintaining parking on the lot, parking being extremely limited in the neighborhood. A 2-story addition was added in available lot space to the front of the house, raised to allow access to the garage existing in the house and to the main entry door. The space below the addition provides a sheltered and enclosed area for the front door, bikes, and bins. The interior spaces are defined by floor level changes; 1st floor kitchen and dining at lower level and living at upper level; 2nd floor existing bedrooms at lower level and master suite at upper level.

Hill Cres

This Project occupies a site with a high, panoramic overlook of Lake Ontario. The building is designed to open to the view and terrain changes on the lake side. Approvals included RNFP and Building Permit. 5000sf of living space plus garage.

Lee Ave

Addition and Interior Alteration

A semi-detached house built in the early 1900’s that had been through a few basic renovations. The interior is not well connected to the garden, the rooms and spaces are cramped and disconnected.

An addition is added connecting the house to the garden, large enough to allow for a new kitchen and dining area working together, with a large patio door to a deck. A large living space is created at the front of the house, divided from the kitchen by service rooms. A compact core of service rooms separates two generous bedrooms on the second floor.

The beautiful walnut kitchen and dining area form a large room with large sliding doors that connect directly to the patio and garden, offering light and an expansive view. Light and views are maintained while creating two distinct major rooms. A careful arrangement of material and color gives beauty to a durable, modern space.

Grenadier Ravine Dr

Islington Ave

The project involved an Addition to the existing bungalow for new living and bedroom space, workshop space, and a new garage. The design extended the main living level and 2nd floor level toward a large rear garden, opening the interior space to the view on both levels and creating a fulsome and relaxed connection to the garden and pool behind.

The varying levels and separation of volumes of the house lend differing qualities and experiences as one moves through the house. Large glass areas on both floors allow light to enter deep into the house and permit views out in many directions.

Yonge

A country house on a treed site sloping west with a view to the west and entrance drive from the east. The house form and orientation were inspired by rural buildings arranged for wind protection and sun warmth, with tough walls at the ground and lighter walls above. The house form edits out views to surrounding development while preserving the view to the mature forest. Rooms and openings are arranged to take advantage of light and view while maintaining privacy. Large window areas and overhangs allow for passive solar gain in winter and shading in summer. The design sought to create a strong and protective house form, taking advantage of a rise in the site to carve into the hillside, keeping the house form low with a broad wall to the wind. The house form wraps around the east and south to form a courtyard, with the interior walls transparent and oriented to the space of the courtyard and sun. The experience of the house is one of moving from the public side and small glimpses of the interior to spaces the open fully to the private garden beyond.

Glenshaw Cres

The project involved a renovation to the existing bungalow and the addition of new garage with living space above. The garage was treated as a separate structure set apart from the house with a mediating space between. House and garage were distinct volumes standing apart and then connected by stairs, bridges, and passages. The space around the stairs, bridges and passages was formed from walls of glass.

The varying levels and separation of volumes of the house lend differing qualities and experiences as one moves through the house. Large glass areas in the connecting space allow light to enter deep into the house and permit views out in many directions. The visual physical connections across the space are very dynamic horizontally and vertically.

Fallingbrook Dr

New House

This house is a hybrid design responding to the owner’s desire for a Georgian house that fully engaged the ravine and view to the lake. A cantilevered glass frame and elevated decks are mediating elements between the reserved and private container facing the street and the dramatic beauty of ravine and lake.

This project is located on the shore of Lake Ontario on a site fully regulated by TRCA and RNFP. Approvals for the project included TRCA, RNFP, Natural Heritage, Minor Variance, Building Permit, Pool Permit, Urban Forestry Permit. The design approach created approximately 4500sf of living space and single car garage within a very restrictive building footprint, and replacement of an existing pool.