Close to the Ottawa river, a family looked to expand their modern home to accommodate a new kitchen, mudroom, and primary bedroom to support their growing family. Considering the existing modern style of the home, the choice was made to strategically make gentle updates to fixtures and finishes throughout, rather than implementing a high contrast addition that deviates in stylistic approach. This resulted in subtle material changes, while making substantial shifts in the ways the family used and organized themselves within the home. The exterior palette was generally maintained, while a deeper grey was implemented throughout the rear to increase contrast between receding and protruding volumes. The natural patina of Zinc paneling accents all sides with additional texture and shadow, to the exclusively stucco exterior. Inside, charcoal accents are introduced throughout the existing home and the retained light wood elements are refinished. These updates harmonized the finishes introduced in the new kitchen into the rest of the home.
The addition extends the home into the luxurious rear yard and introduces an expanded second storey. The increase of depth within the western volume opens views to the South, and to the East, spilling morning light across the kitchen as well as the new primary bedroom above. The additional bedroom provides an expanded space for the parents, organized to offer increased privacy as the kids continue to grow. In addition to the new stove, the bedroom is supplemented with a full ensuite and walk-in-closet, forming a quiet and cozy respite.
At the ground level, the kitchen is substantially expanded; transformed into a social connector to the backyard; now comprised of a central island, a cooking wall and an integrated pantry whose placement links the kitchen to the mudroom tucked behind. The kitchen-mudroom approach cleverly integrates most storage space within a consolidated area, that connects garage access to the exterior yards, as well as a convenient connection to the kitchen for grocery drop-off. A powder room within this compact space also means quick access to a bathroom from the pool area.
With the new extension, the existing outdoor terrace is now tucked further into the perimeter of the home, forming an open courtyard that strengthens the relationships between the interior cooking space and the outdoor dining area. The home is invigorated with stronger social connections on the ground level, while providing a space of solitude for the parents above.
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