Cabinetry for an Alcove and Living Area

This interior project consists of the design of custom cabinetry storage, display and a writing area for a home in Toronto.  An alcove on the main floor is currently an underutilized area.  It is prone to accumulating the various items floating within the house.  Could this area be fitted with fixed cabinetry, while accommodating the existing outlets, air grilles, lighting, bulkheads and window?

A writing surface is proposed at one end, with a full height closet at the other.  In between, oak veneered ledges and cupboards allow for concealed and exposed storage.  A tackboard was also proposed behind the desk surface. 

At the living area, fixed shelving was desired at one end of the double height space.  The solution proposed exposed upper cabinets above, with a deeper ledge below.  All visible surfaces are oak veneered.  At the lower ledge, electronic devices can be placed, with an opening at back for cables.  Existing outlet locations are discreetly incorporated into the design.  At the cabinets above, a simple pattern was expressed to allow for display of fine books and miscellaneous objects.

 

Many of us live with a trove of items - some desired, some not.  These millwork layouts allow for the owners to act as curators of sorts - to display, or to hide away. 

A Garage, Courtyard and Study.

This project proposes a new 2 car garage, a courtyard, and a renovation to the 1 storey structure at the back of a semi-detached home in the east side of Toronto.  With a grade difference of several steps rising towards the house, the new garage incorporates the steps within. 

A vegetated roof is proposed to increase the extent of green space, and to provide a pleasant view from the second floor of the main house.  The resulting courtyard creates outdoor amenity space and landscaped areas to accommodate outdoor dining and gardening.  A canopy provides shade at the corner windows of the 1 storey study, the accompanying deck, and steps.  Wood veneered panelling is proposed at two facades to create a consistent and warm character within the courtyards.  A trellis, with vines running along the garage wall will create a direct connection between the landscaping at grade and the vegetated roof.

The facade of the garage facing the laneway incorporates a clerestory window to provide natural lighting.  With glazed sliding doors at the courtyard side, natural daylight can enter from 2 facades.  The cladding proposed at the garage car entry is cement panelling – a robust material appropriate for a laneway that sees traffic from the commercial properties on the other side of the laneway.  

 

Two Units Into One

Located in a condominium building in Toronto, this interior design - currently underway - modifies strategic elements within two units to consolidate them into one.  The former two entry spaces are united into a lobby that also acts as a display area for art.  A kitchen is removed, as well as one of the washrooms, to create new spaces for living, studying and reading.  

   

A library area was created for display and access of the client's books.  After removal of the kitchen, ceilings bulkheads were modified to create a consistent ceiling height for the cabinetry to insert into.  Suspended lighting tracks were added.  The cabinetry, by Abacus, combines white surfaces with stained woodwork.

 

At the lobby, a floor tile was selected with a variation in finish.  While much of the surfaces are white, some effort was made to provide contrast and surface interest.  Upon seeing some concrete walls exposed, the client requested that they be left as is.

As Toronto evolves into a dense city, adaptability of space will, in my view, become a more prominent issue.  A building that can readily absorb change will be more useful for its citizenry; facilitating resilience, social stability, and sustainability.

Places of Repose

The main focus of this design is to provide an addition facing the backyard, in a home located in the Bloor West area of Toronto.  The ground floor portion contains an area for dining, lounging, a washroom and storage.  The deck also allows for dining, plus an area for the barbecue.  Generous sliding glazed doors pocket into the facade, creating an 11' wide opening for seamless movement between inside and out in agreeable weather.  A broad retractable awning provides shade in the afternoon.  A separate entry leading to the washroom doubles as a wet change area for the swimming pool during the summer.   

At the 2nd floor, an additional study area is created, proportioned for a variety of fixed and loose furniture layouts.

A renovation to the existing 3rd floor was also explored, to maximize area.  The current roof pitch contains limited space with adequate headroom, hence the desire to improve its use.  At its core, the project responds to the desire to improve function and to connect gracefully with the immediate surroundings.

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.