Page 88 - Designing Ways 279

The dining room sits within a double-height
atrium with a fully-glazed rear façade that
provides an expansive view of the neigh-
bourhood’s mature trees, inviting natural
light deep into the interior and magnifying
the grandeur of this modest space.
Photo credit: Shai Gil

The design of the house emphasizes permeability
and openness. The foyer, which is filled with natural
months, becoming a generous outdoor room for dining, reading, light, offers a complete view of the street, yet the
and relaxation. On the interior adjacent to the backyard, a double- layout of the rooms ensures that the interior of the
height atrium with a fully-glazed wall provides an expansive view of house remains private and concealed from view.
the neighbourhood’s mature trees, inviting natural light deep into Photo credit: Shai Gil
the interior and magnifying the grandeur of this – in truth – modest
space. Central to the atrium is a sculptural staircase defined by a solid
balustrade of white oak and Baltic birch.

"The stair's scissor configuration forms a compelling and dynamic
three-dimensional geometric composition in the space, animated
by the procession of figures as they ascend and descend between the
different levels of the house," explains principal Heather Dubbeldam.
"We wanted the design of the stair to impart a sense of craftsmanship,
while also evoking a feeling of movement and energy. This is achieved
through a distinct wood grain on a diagonal, and the monolithic
nature of the stair guard."

Overlap and the blurring of boundaries continue throughout. Just as
the exterior’s varied planes hint at internal programmatic changes, the
volumetric shifts within the house are further expressed by changes
in ceiling height, material, and colour at the thresholds, producing a
heightened awareness of these intentional shifts. In the double height
space, projecting second storey bedrooms create recessed areas for the
kitchen and living room below, while a wood-clad ceiling treatment

A wide deck across the back of the house
effectively doubles the living/dining area,
becoming a generous outdoor room in
temperate months. The rear façade’s protruding
and extending volumes for covered zones and
roof decks, delineating outdoor areas with
differing character.

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