PLANT Architect Inc.

Architects & Building Designers , Accessory Dwelling Units , Home Remodeling , Home Additions , Universal Design , Basement Remodeling

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PLANT Architect Inc.

First Avenue Residence

Nearly a decade after we designed First Avenue Garden, the owners selected us to renovate the interior of their home. This three-storey 19th-century building was originally a dairy. In the 1980s it was vertically subdivided into three narrow townhouse units. Our clients, who own the corner unit, asked us to renovate their space in a way that would expand its apparent width, while providing great (and space-efficient) display space for their contemporary art collection. Along with the interior renovation, the project scope included a refresh of the garden.

Project Year: 2019

Project Cost: $500,001 - $750,000

Country: Canada

Zip Code: M4M 1W8

This three-storey 19th-century building was originally a dairy. In the 1980s it was vertically subdivided into three narrow townhouse units. To expand the apparent width of the second-floor living area, we replaced the existing enclosed stair with a new stair behind transparent floor-to-ceiling...

First Avenue Residence

The open-plan second floor now provides efficient gallery space for a portion of the owners' contemporary art collection. Bubble lights – the Gregg Pendant, designed by Ludovica +Roberto Palomba for Foscarini – provide even lighting throughout this tall, narrow space.

First Avenue Residence

Art from the owners' collection lines the skylight-topped stair on all levels.

First Avenue Residence

The stair's glass wall stops short to open up the cherry-lined arrival at the second floor.

First Avenue Residence

This view from the second-floor living area to the exposed new white oak stair shows the extent to which the stair functions as a space-efficient gallery for the owners' collection.

First Avenue Residence

Lighting integrated into the living room's cherry soffits focuses attention on works of art.

First Avenue Residence

The owners commissioned a ceramic artwork by Talia Silva for the living room's cherry-framed, south-facing wall.

First Avenue Residence

East corner of the living area, showing the media centre's partially recessed custom cabinetry.

First Avenue Residence

The powder-coated steel grip of the custom handrail is formed for comfort, with cherry wood peeking out below.

First Avenue Residence

The existing pine subfloor in this 19th-century building remains in place on the top floor, where the bedrooms are located.

First Avenue Residence

Third-floor main bedroom view to the southeast. Windows and doors on this level are all framed in walnut. Ceiling fixture: Soleil Noir, designed by Odile Decq for Luceplan

First Avenue Residence

Walnut custom cabinetry provides elegant, space-efficient storage in the main bedroom.

First Avenue Residence

This closet-lined third-floor room is typically used as a dressing room. When guests stay over, the owners clear off the shelves and fold down the Murphy bed that is concealed behind them.

First Avenue Residence

Detail of custom walnut cabinetry in the dressing room/guest bedroom.

First Avenue Residence

In contrast to the white oak open stair that connects the second and third floors, the ground-to-second-floor stair is solid, concealing the basement. At the tp of the stair the handrail conceals lighting for the walnut end wall.

First Avenue Residence

Each floor deploys a single sculptural light type in dialogue with the artworks. Above the dining table, the Vitis Pendant by Rich Brilliant Willing provides playful adjustability.

First Avenue Residence

A new oak floor for the ground-floor dining area was part of the renovation.

First Avenue Residence

Taking a cue from the alternating slats of wood and glass in the existing front door (at right), a new screen in cherry opens up the stair to views and light.

First Avenue Residence

The townhouse occupies space in a 19th-century dairy that was vertically divided into three dwelling units in the 1980s.

First Avenue Residence

First-floor plan

First Avenue Residence

Second-floor plan

First Avenue Residence

Third-floor plan

First Avenue Residence