Ironside Architect

Home Improvement Professionals , Architects & Building Designers , Accessory Dwelling Units , Home Remodeling , Home Additions , Universal Design , Basement Remodeling
7 Reviews
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Ironside Architect
7 Reviews

An Artist's House

This project has been completed in stages over many years, starting with a reimagined front porch and entry, a garden structure for storage and entertaining, a second floor renovation to master bedroom and bathroom, a basement gut and renovation, and finally a single storey rear addition that is an art studio open to to a renovated kitchen, and including a new rear deck, BBQ station, and hard surface landscaping. The interior design was done in collaboration with Anna MacDonald Design, Toronto
Project Year: 2020
Project Cost: $150,001 - $200,000
Country: Canada
Zip Code: M6S 3G5
This project has been completed in stages over many years, starting with a reimagined front porch and entry, a garden structure for storage and entertaining, a second floor renovation to master bedroom and bathroom, a basement gut and renovation, and finally a single storey rear addition that is an...
An Artist's House
A vertical cedar screen supports a BBQ suspended above the basement walkout. The lighting at night creates fan shaped patterns of shadow on the pavement
An Artist's House
The garden building is the size of a typical garage in this area of Toronto, but under the roof is a linear storage shed beside terrace that overlooks the garden.
An Artist's House
At the back of the garden structure is a wider platform to enjoy the garden.
An Artist's House
The client's art studio is positioned at the back of the house where the light and view are best. A clerestory window lets in northern light. A generous workspace counter, storage and cleanup area makes the the space functional and easy to keep organized.
An Artist's House
The studio is quite high above grade, and with the proximity to the heritage apple tree feels almost like a treehouse.
An Artist's House
Natural light is essential to the functioning of a studio, as well as flexible artificial lighting
An Artist's House
The Kitchen is open to the studio and to the dining room, giving this older home the character of a Loft. Sandblasted glass block lets in light but obscures views of the house next door.
An Artist's House
The back wall of the original house was removed and a structural beam and post are exposed as objects within the overall floor plan. The steel beam gently differentiates the space between house and studio.
An Artist's House
The original basement foundation was stone with plaster. Part of the wall was left exposed as a feature in the new basement, and natural light is borrowed through a sandblasted glass panel set slightly in front of the very irregular wall.
An Artist's House
In Toronto, you are allowed to enclose an existing front porch. The clients wanted the extra interior space for a mudroom entry and to enlarge the living room... but also loved having a porch. By tucking the front wall in at the middle all the requirements were met.
An Artist's House
Wide front steps face a landscaped yard.
An Artist's House
Just enough space on the front porch to park a couple of chairs.
An Artist's House
The garden structure at night.
An Artist's House
The garden structure at night. The sideyard is wide enough to landscape and becomes the focus of the seating.
An Artist's House
The shadows created by the slats create complex patterns.
An Artist's House
The new deck navigates a complex set of requirements... a basement access, a BBQ, A small elevated area, a direct path to the garden structure, avoiding the apple tree, providing room for basement windows.
An Artist's House
A green roof connects the second floor window view to the landscaping.
An Artist's House