Ah, Tetris. The nostalgic video game brings back memories of my childhood but also of the frustration of trying to methodically stack the blocks.
If you don’t know what Tetris is, it’s an iconic video/arcade game released in 1984. A simple game where geometric shapes fall continuously and the objective is to move and rotate the pieces to complete lines in order to clear the board. In summary, it’s all about your ability to plan efficiently and strategically.
The architectural practice boutique, rzlbd, took the game’s principle to the next level by translating it into an actual building, creating the Tetris House (Toronto, Canada).
This dwelling was built with the objective of maximizing space. Located in an established neighbourhood where the older dwellings are reaching obsolescence, the existing 40 x 120 foot lot came with several restrictive setbacks. Within these limitations the Tetris House was born.
Much like the classic puzzle arcade game, the goal of the home is to fit pieces or spaces together as efficiently as possible to maximize the lot and eliminate wasted space. The parti models above really showcase how the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
The exterior facade is a composition of a wide range of materials, claddings, and forms which clearly allude to the home’s Tetris inspiration.
When you enter, you can see that the design is extremely practical with all the spaces within the home being connected and interlocked with each other.
The architects implemented a 4,000 square feet plan into a 3,000 square foot surface!
This spacious sun-filled residence contains several private spaces, along with generous amounts of amenities and luxurious comforts, including a large entertainment space along with a bar and a wine cellar.
With all these ideas of stacking, you might suppose the home does not have access to much natural light, but the architects cleverly found a solution to distribute light from above.
As seen above, the interior spaces are flooded with natural light that flows all the way down into the basement. There is also a large light well that penetrates through the building, and which creates a vertical light shaft. By using glass panels on the floors and ceilings (and through the major living spaces), it keeps the house bright and open.
The home’s interior contains a large range of materials such as timber, steel, and slate. The black and white minimalist furniture is a bold contrast to the all natural flooring. While the black and white modern decor gives the home a modern edge, it is tempered by the warm wooden flooring.
With downtown urban centres increasingly having aging housing stock far past its utility, we’re beginning to see more infill projects that embrace contemporary design. I love how the design intelligently maximizes space while embracing a minimalist aesthetic. Who couldn’t use a little more Tetris in our housing?
The Tetris House is truly remarkable for its use of space. Every inch counts!
Who knew playing video games would pay off and produce such a magnificent home?
Check out some samples of rzlbd’s impressive work.
All photos courtesy of borXu Design.
If you liked this story, then you might enjoy these other articles featuring the firm rzlbd!
The RZLBD ‘Presence of Voids’ Exhibit
Sculptures Within A Sculpture By RZLBD In Toronto
Go Green = Go Small in East York, Toronto
Lady Peel’s Old House Reinvented In Downtown Toronto
Researched and Written by Karen Loh, Undergraduate Student of Architectural Studies – Design at Carleton University
