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The contrasting material palette selected for the house is seen in the selection of fin-
ishes used in the kitchen, including white oak, charcoal cabinetry, and dark stone
counters. A long horizontal window provides framed views of the backyard, further
emphasising the connection between the interior and exterior spaces.
Photo credit: Shai Gil

Shift House

Toronto, Canada

n Toronto’s postwar neighbourhoods, modest bungalows are
being replaced by faux-historical mansions. Standing in bold
Icontrast is Shift House by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design.

An unapologetically modern insertion, Shift House features a stepped
façade defined by projecting and retracting volumes, highlighted by
contrasting cladding to emphasise the volumetric gestures. Western
red cedar fills the void left by retracted volumes, providing a striking
foil to the charcoal grey exterior. Meanwhile, the gently sloping roof
extends from front to back, maintaining a low datum line on the
street as it forms a comparatively horizontal expression.

Shift House’s 300-square-metres are spread over two storeys and,
through strategic spatial arrangements, respond to the family’s desire
for a meaningful connection with the outdoors. The layout of the
house consists of an interior grid of six staggered volumes, shifted in
and out to shape the exterior envelope. The resulting sculpted façade,
with its interplay of solids and voids, creates opportunities for greater
light transmission, additional views, and access to outdoor space at
multiple levels through corner windows, generous roof overhangs,
green roofs, and balconies on the second floor.

Permeability and openness are dominant design themes throughout
the house. The porosity of the front façade is a friendly gesture to
the street, and a glazed rear elevation connects the family to the
surrounding environment, blurring the boundary between interior
Photo credit: Shai Gil
and exterior space. The rear facade's protruding and extending
volumes form sheltered and covered zones, delineating outdoor
areas with differing character. A wide deck across the back of
the house effectively doubles the living/dining area in temperate

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