Addition and Renovation in Toronto

This project - currently under construction - involves an addition and renovation to a home in Toronto's west end.  The program includes expanded living, dining, and bedroom space.  An improved relationship to the rear yard includes a future deck and generous amounts of glazing.

 

The original house from the 1920's is a typically sturdy-looking example of the era.  However, its address to the surrounding landscape was limited.  The lack of windows in the picture seems odd, but there may have been different priorities back then. 

 

The site is located along a bending street, providing the opportunity for corner window conditions to be featured.  At the 2nd floor, there are clear views down the street and beyond.  At the ground floor, some conveniently located existing shrubbery provides a suitable amount of screening.

 

With each single family residential project, every site, client and criteria differs from the last.  That is what allows a project to be tailor made, rather than the one-size-fits-all result of typical housing development.

Addition and Renovation - Details, Details

As construction for this addition and renovation to a home in Bloor West Village progresses, some of the details are taking shape.  

The sliding exterior pocket doors, exterior swing doors, trim, and fill panels are visible in the photos.  The consolidation and coordination of these elements may seem straightforward, but a number of different products and manufacturers are arranged to create the homogenous 'charcoal' colour field.  

The metal profiles surrounding the doors and glazing required a certain amount of care and attention from the contractor.  A more traditional detail would involve a wider (and less elegant) edge profile - one that could potentially hide a hasty installation.

Similarly, installation of the interior door frames required the coordination of the wood profile and a surrounding metal reveal.  A small condition, but these things elevate the experience of a space in subtle ways. 

The custom cabinetry installation is underway, with an oak veneer selected.  The contractor asked, why not white oak?  I realize it is a very popular selection these days, but for this project, the warmth of red oak was appropriate.

A built-in bench and storage area tucks into the wall.  This will come in handy when getting changed for the swimming pool. 

Addition and Renovation in Bloor West Village

This project is an addition and renovation at the back of a home in the Bloor West Village neighbourhood in Toronto.  The main feature on the ground floor is a new living space that connects the existing kitchen to the back yard.  At this stage one can see the work taking shape, albeit with some distance to go.

Large sliding glazed doors allow for a direct relationship between spaces.  The 3 exterior sliding screens facing the back yard pocket entirely into the exterior wall.  This creates a generous clear opening for the warm seasons.

The addition comprises of two rectilinear volumes at the ground and 2nd floors, with two new dormers at the 3rd floor.  The facades are clad with a solid stain lapped wood profile - common in traditional applications.  The transitions between materials at corners and window frames are detailed in a contemporary manner.

At the third floor, a washroom was reconfigured, and old partitions removed.  The existing collar ties (beams), now painted the same colour as the rest of the ceiling, visually recede into the background.

The addition of the dormers and windows add a fair amount of natural light at the 3rd floor.  At the washroom, the sink was set back from the window slightly, anticipating space for a chair.

Rear Addition in Bloor West Village

Now that spring has arrived, construction continues on an addition to a house in the Bloor West Village in Toronto.  In the video below, I explain a little more about the project.

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The primary intent of the project is to better engage the rear yard.  At this stage of construction, the framing allows one to see the volumes in situ.  With the landscape of the rear yard starting to green, the relationship holds promise.  

 

Kitchen, Expansion and Deck

Having lived with a small kitchen and an awkward access to their backyard, these homeowners are ready for a change.  The project entails renovating the kitchen, adding a small amount of living area to the rear, and a new access to a revised wood deck.

A 3 panel glazed door assembly is proposed to allow for a generous amount of light to enter the house.  The deck is split into two levels, to create a cascading effect to grade.  For the cladding, materials already applied on the century old home are proposed for continuity.

 

At the interior, a clear kitchen layout with plenty of counter space and storage is proposed.  A pass-through opening and ledge are shown to connect with the dining room.  A clear distinction between rooms is maintained here. 

Some renovations lean towards removing most interior walls, to create the open concept.  Others, like this one, pursue retaining existing proportions.  One of the challenges when renewing and modernizing these older homes is how to retain the charm which makes the Victorian or Edwardian home desirable.  Otherwise you could be anywhere.