Commissioned as a ‘forever’ home for a local couple, a key priority was to design a space that was comfortable and intimate enough for the family yet flexible and inviting for entertaining guests. The vision was to transform a low-slung, inward looking, dark space into a warm, welcoming light filled modern home.

Restrictive development measures outlined by the local conservation authority forced the team to re-evaluate our assumptions on outdoor amenity spaces. No ground plane additions were permitted on three sides of the dwelling as well, no horizontal projections beyond the building envelope were allowed into the ravine, modest allowance for roof projections were the exception. Initial ideas of decks, patios and balconies required a re-think, therefore a decision was made to position these amenities within the building footprint where possible.

Careful space planning created pockets of outdoor space on all levels. Walls were removed in a dark, climate-controlled pool room, transforming this space into a 4