House on a Ravine By Taylor Smyth Architects

by Maria Konou
Advertisement

This house  is designed to make use of the views of the conservation area in Toronto, Canada.

From Taylor Smyth Archtiects:

This 7,300 square feet (680 square meters) home backs onto a spectacular conservation area in Toronto. The owners wanted a modern, open residence that capitalized on the natural views. The house appears to grow out of the site trough the use of a warm-coloured rubble stone base. Above floats light stucco planes, broken at the corners allowing natural light to wash the inside. An exterior mahogany screen provides privacy from the street for the two storey glazing. Illuminated from inside, the screen glows at night.

Inside, the house is organized around a central two storey dining room. Sliding floor to ceiling glass doors along the full length of the back of the house allow the living and dining room to open out to the exterior, capitalizing on the views of the conservation area. A generously  scaled kitchen/family room extends into a glazed conservatory, with planting beds flush to the floor and an interior fountain that reappears outside along one side of the paved terrace.

An elegant palette of natural materials combines dark and light colours – walnut flooring and stairs, mahogany windows, light coloured limestone in the foyer and conservatory as well as on the fireplace in the living room, sandblasted glass screens and polished plaster, and zinc panels clad an over-hanging canopy along the back and for all copings and trim.

Maria Konou

Maria Konou is a specialist in the field of digital marketing and fashion. However, she has always had a way with words. That’s what led her to her dream job here at Archzine. She has worked in many different fields over the years, but according to her, being an author has been the most rewarding. Maria is a huge plant enthusiast, loves everything fashion-related, is very sustainably aware, and is always open to learning about new things.