Instar House in Toronto, Canada by rzlbd [Reza Aliabadi]

Article source: rzlbd [Reza Aliabadi] 

Instar House is a minimalist three-storey wood & steel structure, which is located on the southern edge of Allenby, a neighbourhood on the border between North York and Toronto. While carefully responds to the needs and lifestyle of the clients, the house has moulted from the small foot-print of the two-and-a-half storey structure that had occupied the site since early 1950s and was infamously nicknamed as half-house.

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

• Architects: rzlbd [Reza Aliabadi]
• Project: Instar House
• Location: Toronto, North York, Allenby area, Canada
• Photography: Borzu Talaie
• Structure: Gamaley and Associates
• Construction Management: Jordyn Development
• Lot: 30’ x 113’
• Living Area: 2200 sqft
• Design: 2013-2014
• Completion: Summer 2016

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

The evolution of design was based on a clear distinction between two main volumes which are both stretched east-west: a larger one in grey that contains all the served spaces; and a smaller replica in black that accommodates all the servant spaces. In order to maintain a sense of autonomy all the major glazed openings on the larger volume are connected and the exterior of this modest monolithic mass is rendered in seamless stucco.

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

The staircase / void which sits on the centre of the larger volume, not only allows for visual communication, also divides each floor level into two sections: on the main floor, a living room on the west and a kitchen / dining banquette on the east; on the second floor, two bedrooms that are connected through a glass bridge which overlooks the kitchen and provides a shared study area for kids; the third floor has been dedicated to a generous master bedroom with the sleeping zone on one side and a roof top patio on the opposite side where clients can enjoy an outdoor hot-tub while looking towards a beautiful park.

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

The smaller volume facilitates all the utilities and services: a mechanical and laundry room in the basement; a powder room and the entry foyer on the main floor; a shared bathroom and a laundry chute on the second floor; and a master ensuite on the top.

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

Image Courtesy © Borzu Talaie

Image Courtesy © rzlbd [Reza Aliabadi]

Image Courtesy © rzlbd [Reza Aliabadi]

Tags: Canada, Toronto

Category: House

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 11th, 2016 at 6:56 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.