A New Face
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 01:10PM Mostly complete by the end of 2014, this project consisted of a 3rd floor addition, an extensive interior renovation, and a revised facade. Located in Toronto's Little Portugal / Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood, the house is within a residential area experiencing rapid gentrification. The design strategy employed was to pursue a restrained contemporary design language, while respecting the massing requirements of the Victorian-friendly 2013 city zoning by-law.
One of the challenges with the project was relating the new features with an existing house that had been renovated a few times over the years. Certain conditions were desirable to keep, while others, like the arched porch, were removed. A fairly neutral colour palate of light greys and charcoals were used to visually tie together the various existing and new elements. While the existing pink and beige brick facade may have been an affordable choice in the 80's (during one of its renovations), its colour was modified accordingly.
On the 3rd floor, a preference was expressed to have most of the glazing and views facing toward the back of the house. Hence the street facade of the 3rd floor features a solitary skylight on the corrugated and sloped metal roof. While proximity to the city park across the street is an amenity, extensive exposure was not desired.
Pictured below is an image of the house prior to its recent renovation.
The modification and partial removal of the existing front porch also allowed direct access to the basement from the exterior, which gives the project greater flexibility in terms of use. The landscaping in front of the house was also reconsidered. While tall metal gates and 100% hard paving may have been desirable to its residents a generation ago, the inclusion of planting and landscaping softens the approach with minimal cost. Removing the fences also expresses a different relationship with the neighbours.
The initial design renderings showed the porch roof being kept, though that was changed. Also, the client's idea of a bright red front door emerged later in the process, and it is something that brings contrast and visual interest to the facade. One of the interesting aspects of designing a building is seeing it become real, and then comparing it with the image in the mind's eye. Is a project a success if it looks exactly as one imagined it? I would say: Partly. The unexpected, or unanticipated ways it reacts with its users and its environment is perhaps as equally satisfying.
Reader Comments (1)
Good job Leo. Massive improvement!