GREAT LAKE STUDIO
Bickford Park
A complete reimagining of a typical downtown Toronto semi-detached residence for a next-generation family.
Working within the constraints of the existing footprint, the interior was aggressively opened-up both horizontally and vertically to create bright, fluid spaces across three levels, allowing the home to breathe.
Location: Bickford Park, Toronto
Design Team: Great Lake Studio
Construction: Catalyst Design Build
Photography: James Morley/ Doublespace
Meticulously planned, the home makes efficient use of every available inch of space. Common areas are layered into one another, sharing space and light to achieve a sense of expansiveness that belies and defies its compact footprint.
At the ground floor, loosely arranged living areas are anchored around an unusually positioned fireplace ‘peninsula’ that may be enjoyed equally while cooking, dining, relaxing, and welcoming guests at the door.
A funnel-shaped, sky-lit interior void space distributes daylight to all areas of the home, opens-up unexpected views, and sets the stage for a more dynamic family life. A slender steel and glass stair floats delicately from above, in what was previously the dark middle of the home.
Woven into this backdrop, a collection of idiosyncratic features reflects the homeowner's unique lifestyle needs and personality: a series of niches for family artifacts; hidden flashes of richly textured wallpaper; a floating platform at the foot of the stair for a gathering of plantings; a hidden study overlooking the levels below.
The result is a home that reveals itself slowly, inviting playful exploration with many unexpected moments of delight.