Open House

Guided by a desire for openness, the interiors of a dark and introverted Victorian residence were gutted in this renovation for a young couple in Toronto’s Casa Loma neighbourhood, retaining only the shell. The comprehensive transformation sees a modern home that exemplifies contemporary notions of daylighting and indoor-outdoor living while staying true to its century old charm.

The removal of a former spatially restricted bedroom carves a new atrium area that’s centrally located. This allows natural light to flood throughout the upstairs and downwards into the middle of the long narrow house.

A refinished modern rectangular black metal frame extends the width of the lower half of the front façade, visually expanding the proportion of the house while respecting the original red brick work and structure. The black solid plane defined by the entry is juxtaposed by an adjacent large picture window, offering transparency to the streetscape and evoking a gallery-like experience. Landscaping is strategically sculpted to create a sense of privacy.

The tight floor plan demanded a thoughtful organization where the interior functions are clearly delineated to maximize the space as much as possible. The dining room is situated at the picture window, and walks you into the kitchen area, brightened by a light palette with a cascading counter at the centre, topped with marble. Further to the rear is the living space for relaxation and entertaining, with large sliding doors that access the patio and yard. Transparency between inside and outside is reaffirmed at the back of the house.

Where the roofline and basement staircase impose an angular inconvenience, our designers take advantage; a curio space upstairs is framed and accentuated by a sapele wood for contrast against the surrounding white millwork. The staircase creates a chamfered corner with storage built underneath it to produce an intriguing geometric form.