The Instar House is a three-storey wood and steel structure that fits right into rzlbd Architects‘ repertoire of minimalist longitudinal homes.
The residence is located on the southern edge of the quiet Allenby neighbourhood on the border of North York and Toronto.
As seen below, the building was transformed using the original bones of the dwelling, which was an early 1950s two-and-a-half storey structure that was nicknamed the “half-house”.
The 2,200 square-foot residence is comprised of two distinct volumes that are separated on the inside by the central staircase. The functional distinctions of the interior are represented on the exterior. For instance: the main living spaces are clad in grey stucco, while the smaller black stucco volume houses the utility and service functions.
The front of the main volume houses the entrance and also features connected continuous glazing that spans the height of the façade.
The staircase seems to be the pivot around which the house is organized. It sits at the centre of the larger volume and splits each floor into east-west sections. On one end of the ground floor is a sitting room that looks out onto the street.
On the west end, there is a kitchen with a dining banquette. It also leads out onto a deck in the yard. The smaller utility space on this level hosts a powder room and the entry foyer while the mechanical and laundry rooms are located in the basement.
The second floor features two children’s bedrooms at each of the extremities. The rooms are connected by a visually-arresting glass bridge that spans the kitchen below. On this level, the side volume contains their shared bathroom and a laundry chute.
The top floor accommodates an indulgent master suite with a sleeping area, a luxe ensuite, and a rooftop terrace with an outdoor hot tub overlooking spectacular views of a nearby park.
The minimalist modern style of the architecture carries over to the interior design. The walls and décor are predominantly white, visually broadening the interior spaces. The natural light enhances this effect and allows the inside to feel bright and open. Some contrast is created by sparse black fittings.
The wooden floors and staircase treads break up the monochromatic finishes and add a breath of additional warmth to the neutral palette.
The Instar House is a herald of the stylistic and organizational principles of the architects at rzlbd. The monolithic home is simple and modern, beautiful and elegant, yet it wears its uncompromising functionality proudly. It serves the needs of the clients first and foremost, but it does so in style!
Visit rzlbd to view their brilliant work, or check out these canadianrealestatehousingandhome.ca articles on their past projects; the Lang Loft and the Totem House.
The lovely photos are courtesy of Borzu Talaie of Borxu
Researched and Written by Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku, Undergraduate Student of Architectural Design at the University of Toronto
