328 Euclid Avenue is an urban infill site in downtown Toronto. Dean Goodman and Janna Levitt designed the house for their own use on a standard 20 foot wide downtown lot. Their intention was to build a small house of approximately 1,550 sq. ft., which would use a pragmatic approach to green building practices. It is two storeys high plus a basement, and utilizes all of this space to maintain a small footprint on the lot. The layout anticipates the changing needs of a family with teenagers and how the house may evolve over time as the children grow up and leave home. Modest in size, the main floor has an open floor plan of approximately 16’ x 55’ with large sliding doors at the front and back. This, coupled with a 12 foot ceiling height, contributes to the feeling of a generous interior larger than its actual size. Large windows allow for excellent natural light throughout the entire house and provide a sense of space, helping to moderate the long dark Toronto winter.
To help keep the house cool in summer, green roofs are used and are planted with native Ontario plant species. These are drought resistant and attract birds and butterflies. The inclusion of large operable windows and ceiling fans moderates the need for air conditioning and keeps the house comfortable in summer. The strategic location and size of windows has eliminated the need for additional electrical lighting during daylight hours. All floors, including the basement, use exposed polished concrete, which serve as heat sinks for cooling in summer and heating in winter. The heating system is an ‘on demand’ gas-fired hot water system that uses a single boiler for radiant floor heat as well as for domestic hot water.
