North York Ravine House

When our clients purchased this mid-century modern bungalow on the edge of a North York Ravine, they were excited about its character and its spectacular setting. Inside, however, the house was a maze of small rooms and was surprisingly disconnected from its rear ravine. They came to DB Studio with a simple brief: to open connections to nature and create more functional living spaces for their family while preserving the distinct architectural quality of the original design.

We reimagined the main floor as an expansive and interconnected living, dining and kitchen area with a rear wall of floor-to-ceiling curtain wall glass, dissolving the barrier between the interior and forest. A feature wall finished with rammed earth tiles, handmade in Mexico City by our client’s childhood friend, hides a structural column while also demonstrating the level of collaboration we share with our clients, and how those collaborations often create defining and personal spaces.

The couple’s three children occupy a second-floor addition that is discretely set back from the house’s front elevation, echoing the modernist form of the original house with its angled rooflines. A bridge-like walkway overlooks the main floor below through a cutout in the ceiling, giving the children a playful perch from which to engage in activities between floors. A large skylight above draws light through the cutout into the centre of the home. The addition freed up the main floor for a principal bedroom suite including a generous bathroom and a private balcony facing the ravine. Around the side of the house a discreet new mudroom was added to provide a seamless and mess-free entry sequence, including cubbies for each family member and a dog washing station.

The house design remains true to its mid-century modern roots, while giving the family thoughtful and inspiring spaces for vibrant family life and connections to the house’s natural setting.