In the Urban Farmhouse, careful consideration of the architectural past was taken to re-imagine a century old farmhouse as a contemporary home re-built on the site where it stood since the 1800’s. Situated in Toronto’s Bennington Heights neighbourhood, the property is adjacent to the scenic Beltline Trail and creek. The Owners wanted to renovate and expand the existing 2-storey farmhouse but it was in too poor a condition to be maintained so the decision was made to take it down and build new, keeping the same footprint and honouring the history of the site. The new design maintained the white gable roof, but modernized the detailing: eliminating overhangs, and adding oversized windows and contrasting black metal ‘additions’ to both the front and rear of the property.

On the interior, we also wanted to juxtapose the soaring ceilings of the gabled roof with the clean, flat ceiling finish of the ‘new’ spaces, to benefit from both modern aesthetics and traditional forms. Inside the white gabled section are the main living spaces including the dining room and living room. The kitchen, office, and family room are in the black-clad ‘additions’, connected to the other spaces with visual separation through freestanding millwork space dividers.

▼客厅，living room ©Riley Snelling

▼客厅一角，corner of living room ©Riley Snelling