The Kleinburg Cathedral, located in a prestigious wooded area of downtown Kleinburg, presented an opportunity to create a unique footprint that would take a lead role in shaping the exterior design of this home. Drawing on the California influenced proportions, this contemporary interpretation of classic Victorian Architecture, this custom home offers a rustic and grand rendition that spans over 71 feet in width, thirty six feet in height, and includes 10,000 square feet of interior finished space that offers a host of unique amenities.

The exterior draws on timeless details inherent to this old world style including traditional brick soffit steps, a dramatically steep roofline clad with natural stone slate stone, and intentional cornice detailing and architectural banding. By top venting the roof, the soffits are removed from the roofline giving a contemporary clean edge where the roof meets the brick. The white painted finish on the brick achieves the understated stone texture while providing a more seamless visual than that of a typical fragmented mortar and brick exterior. Standing in contrast to the more traditional elements of the home is the overtly modern massing on the right side, which is clad in dark smooth concrete panels, with large windows and a flat roof, where modernity is tempered with the custom architectural bands and cornice moulding.

The interior design plan, developed by Jesse and John-Luke Sahlani, includes an eclectic mix of rustic traditional styling with a contemporary flare that underscores the environment in almost every room of the home. By prioritizing common areas spatially to be within view of the heavily wooded conservation area the home backs onto, our firm was able to create an indoor to outdoor connection without opening a single window or door. Large format windows that employ the use of a traditional, yet specifically proportioned mullion design, serves as the perfect backdrop for the dramatic and cozy interior design plan. A mixture of light wood, wide plank herringbone flooring throughout the home, flat panel rustic pine plank clad cabinetry, a wealth of ceiling details that include ambient lighting, and a two storey cathedral style great room characterized by 5 dauntingly large rustic ceiling beams. Dramatic wood ceilings and two custom chandeliers also create a luxurious setting while the refined nature of the interior cabinetry and millwork profiles blend the clean contemporary juxtaposition in the space. The main stairs are designed to be a focal point on the main floor and have a unique waterfall zig-zag design where the underside and stringers are clad in a hand patina steel with rivet accent detailing.

The exterior footprint creates a natural opportunity to connect the interior and exterior spaces. Between the tall cathedral walls in the great room and purpose built office is a tucked away open air courtyard, which will be finished with interlocking stone with turf inserts,torch style gas sconce lighting, and vine installation on the adjoining tall wall and will be accessible from both spaces. At the rear, the two storey deck on the ground level houses recessed ceiling patio heaters, a pass through kitchen window custom designed to accommodate bar height seating for easy serving, a unique wood deck that has a swim spa integrated into it, an outdoor kitchen, and a fire pit.