A third floor and rear two-storey addition was added to the 1920's era home. The narrow lot prohibited new windows in the side walls, so skylights, opening up the plan, and using glass block helps to get natural light into the dark interior spaces. Throughout he house, "slashes" in load-bearing walls create gaps where light can pass, as well as the occasional bed mattress on the way to the second floor. These vertically-proportioned openings become part of the visual language of the house.
The rear yard garage was converted into a garden house by removing 1/2 of the space below the roof, and adding a polycarbonate barrel skylight. The result is a covered terrace space ideal for summer dining, and allowing views from inside the house to the back of the yard. The neighbours have recently constructed a new garden house that is a mirror image.