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Project posted by Nadia Cannataro

Black in Back House

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View from existing home into new kitchen.
View from existing home into new kitchen.
View from kitchen sink looking into custom millwork shelving with opening above to second floor.
View from kitchen sink looking into custom millwork shelving with opening above to second floor.
View of kitchen millwork looking back into existing home.
View of kitchen millwork looking back into existing home.
View from kitchen looking towards sculptural millwork which extends into the open to below on the second floor. Also visible is the connection to the exterior deck and existing home opening into the existing formal dining room.
View from kitchen looking towards sculptural millwork which extends into the open to below on the second floor. Also visible is the connection to the exterior deck and existing home opening into the existing formal dining room.
View of the open to below above the eat-in kitchen table and through the opening of the existing window in what was the exterior wall into the formal dining room.
View of the open to below above the eat-in kitchen table and through the opening of the existing window in what was the exterior wall into the formal dining room.
The existing dining room contained two entrances adjacent to the kitchen. One doorway was partially closed to create a passthrough from the new kitchen counter and a custom wine rack. The image above indicates a view through the passthrough into the kitchen.
The existing dining room contained two entrances adjacent to the kitchen. One doorway was partially closed to create a passthrough from the new kitchen counter and a custom wine rack. The image above indicates a view through the passthrough into the kitchen.
The existing powder room was reconfigured to include a larger vanity. The existing window opening was flanked by a skinny mirror. The clients requested a vibrant colourful tile and trusted the designer to select the colour.
The existing powder room was reconfigured to include a larger vanity. The existing window opening was flanked by a skinny mirror. The clients requested a vibrant colourful tile and trusted the designer to select the colour.
A view looking out from an existing window opening on the second floor across the open to below and into play area on the second floor.
A view looking out from an existing window opening on the second floor across the open to below and into play area on the second floor.
Similar to the previous view, looking out from an existing window opening on the second floor down the open to below above the kitchen table.
Similar to the previous view, looking out from an existing window opening on the second floor down the open to below above the kitchen table.
Rear elevation of "black in back" house addition.
Rear elevation of "black in back" house addition.

Details

Square Feet
500

Credits

Posted by
Architect
large medium design office
Interior Design
large medium design office
Landscape Design
large medium design office
Builder
Catalyst Design Build
Photographer
Publications
Globe and Mail

From Nadia Cannataro

The project is a 500 sq ft two story rear addition to an Edwardian style single family dwelling in mid-town Toronto. The project called for the demolition of an existing two storey late eighties addition, both spatially and energy inefficient. The clients loved their neighbourhood and their home, but required a more functional space tailored to their family routines and lifestyle.

The diagram for the project is founded on the construct of the open floor plan, enhanced by an open section. Spatial fluidity is created in the home moving through thresholds of old and new. The custom-built galley kitchen, existing windows adapted into millwork lined openings, make use of multi-scalar apertures from old to new. The open section continues the fluidity between floors, creating opportunities for life on the ground floor to overlap with that of the second floor. Meal preparation on the ground floor occurs concurrently with painting and other crafts on the second floor. Separate spaces, separate messes, mixed aromas, mixed sounds.

The floor aperture, flanked by custom millwork dubbed The Sculptural Cabinet of Curiosities housing a breakfast eating, chess playing, homework doing, crossword completing, novel reading banquette at its base and rising through the opening, is a vertical social mixing valve for the family. It negates the conventional isolation of programs by floor, and encourages communication and interaction between family members, and guests.

An expanse of glazing along the back facade allows for an extension of the interior space and a connection to the landscape of the rear yard. The window placement on the second floor serve as frames to specific existing tree canopy. An exterior space on the upper floor of the addition puts the user in the midst of the treetops. It uses the sculpted line of the roof and soffit, and the guard as a frame for an ever-changing composition of sky and tree foliage. The east facing glazing fills the interior space with beautiful morning light. The treed context is a natural brise soleil filtering the sunlight during the summer months while allowing full sun access in the winter assisting to warm the black tile and its radiant floor warming beneath. The operable skylight over the second-floor opening encourages natural ventilation through the space.

A few simple strategies of connectivity; one between old and new, a second between floors, and third between interior and exterior, developing unique millwork, while only adding minimal floor space has radically transformed this rear addition into an efficient yet dynamic space. It is filled with the cacophony of four family members doing a multitude of activities seemingly remote from one another, yet still interacting within this sunlit filled social hub of the home.