House in Henry Farm

This split level house in the Henry Farm neighborhood of North York exemplifies the best of the 1960s suburban development that is characteristic of the area:  clean brick cladding, broad overhanging hip roofs with aluminum gutters and soffits. It was built as a spec home by the Alcan Aluminum company hoping to feature innovative cladding systems.

The house sits on a curving street well spaced from its adjoining neighbors and benefits from a gently sloping  site from front to rear.

The owners were looking to refresh the original house while adding area for extended family and work from home capacity. Early designs for a disruptive tower element along the west side of the building were met with excitement. This element was to deliver a private office/ working space that stood apart from the low slung horizontal building and roof lines of the house- a literal satellite hovering above; accessed by a tall spiralling stair.

Further schematic development governed by project costing brought the design to a more practical conclusion. The final design completes the upper split level with a new principal bedroom, dressing room and ensuite bathroom.  The original floating element was brought forward from the west courtyard to a final position over the existing garage.  The court remained an exterior support space; the new studio/ office linked via a new straight stair to the dining room/ living area.