Entry Sequence - Addition in Toronto

For this rear addition to a home in Toronto, access from the laneway will be a well-used entry point, due to the location of the parking spot.  Large glazed sliding doors on the ground floor face the rear yard and the new wood deck.  

A pair of closets are located near the entry to allow for clothes storage.  A built-in bench next to the glazed doors provides a place to remove or store one's shoes.  The fireplace is integrated into this living area, with a limestone base.  The polished concrete floor, white painted surfaces, and wood ceiling form a simple palate of robust materials.  A compact two piece washroom is also nearby - an amenity typically desired by homeowners.  

Passage from the addition to the existing Victorian house goes through the kitchen.  A counter dividing the kitchen from the rear living area can act as an informal gathering or eating space.  A skylight above the sink provides some natural light deep into the floor plan.

At the stairs facing the dining room, open treads will allow for greater visibility between the existing and new portions of the house.  Daylight from the skylight above can filter down to the ground floor and basement.  A screen of vertical wooden elements will form the guard to the stair, as well as provide visual interest.  

Of course, one can consider the sequence of movement in reverse.  Run down the stairs, have a quick glass of water, throw on a coat, and away you go.