Refurbishment and transformation of a previously mediocre 1970s house in Toronto. The aim was to open up this four storey, split level house in order to increase natural daylighting ingress; improve the interior-exterior relationship with a new Japanese garden; and create more flexible, open plan living space. Another objective was to improve the energy efficiency of the building. New, custom made, Spanish Cedar patio doors and windows are double glazed with low emissivity glass. Underfloor heating was introduced beneath stone floors on the lower levels. The open steel staircase is intended to improve visual connectivity and optimise natural daylight. The brick exterior facade has been transformed with a combination or sand cement render and oiled Spanish Cedar cladding. The owners are making incremental improvements as their budget allows. The house has therefore not yet been completed.

Designers:

Stephanie Mills and Jonathan Crinion 2002-3