Contrast House
Architecture Residential Toronto, Ontario, Canada
19 Images
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1. 3595 px 4500 px 12 MB A4 print |
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2. Rich wood tones and striking black details contrast the white walls and accents of greenery poking through the window views in this home's main floor dining area. 5707 px 4152 px 20 MB A3 print |
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3. On the ground floor adjacent to the open living and dining room, a tall black bookcase defines the stair, housing the owners’ colourful books and small collectibles. 6724 px 4669 px 17 MB A3 print |
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4. 5412 px 7216 px 13 MB A3 print |
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5. The lines of the millwork and row of suspended light fixtures above the ten foot long narrow ‘tapas bar’ pull views to the rear of the house where full height glass doors allow light to flood the space. 7360 px 4912 px 36 MB A3 print |
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6. The long, narrow kitchen, at only 11 feet wide, is delineated by the ‘tapas bar’ island, a wall of floor to ceiling concealed cabinetry, and a long white counter contrasting with a charcoal wall. 7418 px 5020 px 11 MB A3 print |
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7. A concealed handrail accompanies the floating stair which provides views through to the rear of the house and access for natural light to penetrate deep into the interior. 3744 px 5616 px 8 MB A3 print |
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8. 5512 px 6730 px 15 MB A3 print |
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9. Sight lines are abundant throughout the house. Descending the second floor stair, one catches glimpses of the vestibule, the original Victorian windows, the second floor bedrooms, and ground floor living space through open risers. 5412 px 7200 px 15 MB A3 print |
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10. On the third floor, various elements accentuate and highlight the original house’s roof lines while built-in components act as subtly integrated storage areas. 3744 px 5616 px 7 MB A3 print |
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11. The marriage of interior and exterior, combined with meticulously conceived details and a restricted material palette, provide a continuous thematic quality throughout the project. 5604 px 5879 px 11 MB A3 print |
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12. 7354 px 4696 px 13 MB A3 print |
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13. 6721 px 4462 px 8 MB A3 print |
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14. 5856 px 4258 px 15 MB A3 print |
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15. Black windows and textured tiles contrast with the white walls, white lacquer millwork, and a crisp white counter in the bathroom to echo the house’s material palette. 4816 px 6352 px 11 MB A3 print |
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16. 4698 px 5104 px 14 MB A3 print |
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17. 4494 px 5656 px 14 MB A3 print |
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18. 1964 px 2676 px 4 MB Print - Low res only |
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19. Site plan illustrating narrow width of lot and how exterior space is an extension of the interior. 1500 px 667 px 313 KB Print - Low res only |
Description
Contrast House explores the role of contrast in the modern renewal of a 120-year old home. Employing the use of contrast in a historic neighbourhood and as a means to amplify natural light, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design juxtaposed opposing elements to explore the relationship between light and dark, old and new. The owners, relocating to Canada from southern climes, hoped to brighten the dark, narrow house. Although the existing house possessed a south-facing façade, it was only 11 feet wide and due to a traditional Victorian layout, had no direct sight lines for views to the outdoors and access to light. As a result, the primary design challenge was to increase natural light in the space, accomplished through both physical and perceptual means. Physically, the long, narrow house was reorganized in plan and in section, introducing new sight lines to the expanded openings at the rear of the house and updating the layout for a growing family. Perceptually, contrast is used as a means to ‘brighten’ internal spaces without direct access to natural light. Contrasting elements are placed in proximity to visually intensify the natural light spilling down from the large openings above.
Stacked vertically along the party wall from the basement to the third floor, a repositioned, porous stair improves the flow of light and sight lines. The stair’s open risers and direct proximity to full height windows at the top, allows light to bathe the house’s interior spaces. At each level, the stair is delineated by a defining black element. Be it tall black bookcases housing the owner’s colourful collectibles on the ground floor, or a chalk board wall for play on the second floor, these bold, dark pieces, in combination with rich walnut floors and crisp white walls and ceilings, create contrast to produce an intensified effect. The monochromatic palette highlights the house’s architectural forms, and is animated by the family’s collection of colourful objects, furniture, art, books, and toys, as well as the original stained glass window and views to the outdoors.
Project Credits
Location: Toronto
size: 1,850 s.f
Project Team: Heather Dubbeldam, Oliver Dang, Jacob JeBailey, Bindya Lad, Rachel Tameriao
Photography: Tom Arban, Bob Gundu
For more information about Dubbeldam Architecture + Design:
www.dubbeldam.ca
T. 416.913.6757 | E. press@dubbeldam.ca
Social media: @dubbeldamarch
Details
| Project size | 1850 ft2 |
| Building levels | 3 |
Project team
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Dubbeldam Architecture + Design |