Situated on a corner lot within the context of traditional Edwardian gable homes in Toronto’s High Park neighborhood, the Westminster residence aims to provide an underlying sense of familiarity and continuity within the archetypal roof form. Hidden within a steep terracotta roof, the project explores the notion of spatially occupying the underside of the roof, akin to an attic. The compact footprint is counteracted by the oversize gable roof which produces cathedral-like spaces that volumetrically open to the underside of the steep chapeled roof pitch, punctuated by top lit skylights.
On the main floor a large, floating covered porch occupies the side yard of the corner lot beneath the heavy cantilevered roof, extending to a private garden. The primary bedroom above expands into a tall roof dormer overlooking the garden below behind a 20’ tall brise soleil which shields a private balcony and provides a courtyard feel within the city lot.
The simple project form is a composition of three dark monolithic figures, a low dark brick clad volume, a heavy triangular stone clad roof and tall rectilinear dormers. The heavy roof hovers asymmetrically on top of the first floor, cantilevering the covered carport and side patio, producing an unsettling dynamic between the simple volumes. Similar in size and materiality the dormers take on diametrically opposite stances in the project with one grounding the west façade as is meets the ground while the east dormer is inexplicably cantilevered and hovers above the carport.
The material atmosphere is a marriage of Villain’s lair meets light and airy refuge (this was a literal marriage of partners goals). The restrained palette consists of dark stained plain sawn walnut, heavy unfilled travertine, concrete and dark textural lime wash walls that juxtapose heavily against double height light filled soft lime wash walls, wide plank knotted white oak floors and soft linen drapery and fabrics. The sequence of moving from compressed cavernous spatial experience to its inverse is narrated as one moves throughout the home.
The main entry to the building is punctuated with a floating ¼” steel projection acting as a semiprivate enclosure and threshold to the house. This intimate space on the exterior of the house is an extension to the dark compressed interior entry and circulation condition within.
The exterior palette includes natural materials that will patina gently over time and become one with the low maintenance spreading sedum landscape. From heavy, rough, and textured terracotta roof shingles, hand pressed brick in a delicate variety of coursing details seen throughout the neighbouring context, vertical hand brushed wood siding and screening, thin powder coated aluminum projections, raw galvanized steel, and a combination of rough and smooth cast in place concrete.
Cast in place concrete pavers which accumulate to form the entry steps and retaining walls around a sunken basement courtyard provide a private and south facing exterior space off the rec room. The side yards acid etched concrete patio is detailed to float above the sloping landscape and interfaces with the building through a continuous galvanized linear slot drain.
