At the end of a suburban street lies a modest cul-de-sac; lined with houses built from brick and vinyl, commonplace for a 1980’s Ontario subdivision. In these neighbourhoods, it is in the rear where these houses typically start to change; small additions, landscape projects and personal interests often take hold. Unbeknownst to passersby, this house conceals an exceptional surprise.
Once through the front door, a unique experience awaits. Informed by the desire to increase the ground floor area as part of future aging-in-place, a rear addition expands the living space, introduces a new kitchen and improves the natural light throughout. While standing inside the entryway, light spills across the floor from the side-yard courtyard, through the open stair, where reflections of leaves and clouds dance across the flanking glass wall partition. Utilizing a strategically oriented millwork volume as part of a unique three-zone kitchen design, ahead, only a glimpse of the forest beyond is revealed. This choice was deliberate to allow a multitude of experiences with the surrounding nature as one moves through the home, while also providing a clear separation between the working kitchen spaces from the remainder of the open floor plan. The integrated floor-to-ceiling, frosted glass door further augments the views and light toward the rear yard, while also reinforcing privacy for times when the kitchen could be a mess. As avid cooks, this practical solution provides an additional dimension of reflection and colour within the home, accentuated by the restrained palette of interior finishes. Once one continues to follow the light, past the courtyard and into the living area, the expansive view of the forest allows one to feel immersed in the trees throughout the day, fostering a sense of calm within the home.
As the available size of the addition was limited due to rear-yard setback requirements, the back wall follows the angle of the property line, adding additional depth towards the Southern corner of the lot. By maximizing the building footprint, the space appears to nestle itself within the forest, while providing additional interior space along the East side. The result is an integrated and quiet design where elements of construction are thoughtfully concealed to maintain the immersive focus on light, nature and calm within the home; the space has become both filter and canvas for the nature surrounding.
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