#RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS
dubbeldam's converted victorian terrace in toronto is a house of contrasts
on a narrow corner lot in a dense downtown toronto neighborhood, local practice dubbeldam has transformed a small semi-detached house into a brightly lit, contemporary living space.
in doing so, ‘contrast house’ adds to the present nature of the streetscape, rather than replacing it. the existing building possessed a south-facing façade, however it was only 11 feet wide and, due to a traditional victorian room layout, had no direct sight lines through the house.
the long, narrow home has been opened up on all levels, with the rear portion of the house clad with black vertical boards to attract the sun’s rays. internal areas have also been reconceived by inserting black elements to define space, that simultaneously create a contrast that intensifies the quality of natural light. this thematic consistency is echoed throughout the residence.
stacked vertically along the party wall from the basement to the third floor, a new open stairway not only improves light levels, but also ensures natural ventilation. combined with a large sliding door at the top of the staircase that draws hot air upwards in summer, this significantly reduces the need for air conditioning and artificial lighting.
integrated within the roof deck, a small green roof provides a cooling effect for the upper floors and absorbs rainwater – preventing run-off. new insulation, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and the integration of energy-efficient lighting further reduces dependency on utilities, relieving the high costs commonly associated with urban living.
