The existing loft is a 3000sq.ft space that had been divided into two apartments. It is a long rectangular space on the 6th floor of a 12 storey building with windows facing north and south. The clients asked the architects to design one contiguous loft containing three bedrooms, a media room, an office, a convertible library/guest bedroom in addition to a kitchen, three bathrooms, living and dining areas, all without compromising the loft like feeling of the space. As the clients are a young family with two kids, they were very interested in using materials and processes that do not harm the health of the inhabitants of the apartment.

The architects create a double circulation system with sliding doors that maintain a free flowing space throughout the loft. This strategy led to a series of custom designed sliding doors with translucent and clear plexi glass panels. Different rooms can be closed off in sections when privacy is required. The library has full height fold out door that can be pulled shut when a guest is visiting. The entry vestibule has a full height sliding door that can be closed and locked for more security. The media room has full height pocket doors for added privacy. The media room was the most challenging space as it gets no direct light. As a result of the double corridors, it becomes the most activated space where all members of the family can meet casually or accidentally as they are passing through. In a sense the media room becomes the “town center” of the loft. Other challenges were the overall lighting of the space since the windows face north in the main living and dining areas. The architects design a cove lighting that can be dimmed to illuminate the ceiling. This creates an overall brightness in the living, dining and library areas. To address the clients concern about health, the architects use low VOC plywood for all the cabinets and low VOC paint throughout the loft.