Project Details
Location: Toronto, Ontario (The Annex)
Size: 2,500 square feet | 230 square meters
Architecture/Interior Design/Landscape Design: Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
Project Team: Heather Dubbeldam, Andrew Snow, Krystal Kramer, Scott Sampson, Gigi Presentey, Omkar Kulkarni
Contractor: DDF Contracting Ltd.
Consultants: Blackwell Structural Engineers
Photography: Riley Snelling
Toronto, Canada has witnessed the emergence of a remarkable architectural gem that encapsulates the perfect blend of innovation, functionality, and artistic expression. Dubbeldam Architecture + Design has unveiled the exquisite Flow House – a semi-detached Victorian masterpiece situated in midtown Toronto. This architectural marvel has undergone a remarkable transformation, embracing a unique design concept that caters to the needs of a creative couple and their children.
The Flow House project encapsulates a harmonious interplay between historical roots and modern sensibilities. With over 130 years of history, the home has been meticulously reconfigured to expand its living spaces while preserving its traditional front façade. The interior of the house has been masterfully redesigned to reflect the personalities, vocations, and shared experiences of the family that calls it home.
At first glance, the Flow House may seem modest in width, measuring less than five meters, and with an additional area of 230 square meters. However, the architectural brilliance lies in the strategic use of compression and expansion techniques. Narrow interstitial spaces create a sense of intimacy and compression, giving way to larger, open spaces with lofty ceilings that evoke a feeling of expansiveness. Throughout the house, surprises abound – the seamless merging of interior and exterior spaces, the strategic infusion of natural light in unexpected corners, and the playful incorporation of elements that lend an organic quality to the entire abode.
Central to the design narrative is the homeowner’s profession as a ceramicist, which has inspired a tactile and crafted ambiance that resonates throughout the house. The design seamlessly fuses Scandinavian and Mediterranean influences, evident in the warm white oak woodwork complemented by concrete and Carrara marble accents, antiqued brass fixtures, and hand-molded clay pendants. A clean backdrop of white walls and shelving serves as a canvas for the family’s collection of art, tapestries, sculptures, and artifacts from local artists and international travels.
Color emerges as a vibrant element in the interstitial spaces, where terra cotta tiles create a captivating herringbone pattern in the entry foyer, and a striking wall adorned with geometric cerulean blue tiles delineates the bar between the kitchen and dining room.
Distinguished by fluid contours that contrast with the rectilinear floorplan, the interior elements of the Flow House exude a sculpted rather than constructed aesthetic. The helical staircase stands as a captivating focal point that embodies the essence of flow within the home. Bathed in natural light from an overhead skylight, the staircase’s winding balustrade and natural oak treads cast mesmerizing shadows that evolve throughout the day.
Heather Dubbeldam, the principal architect of the project, eloquently expresses the design philosophy: “Curvilinear forms are employed throughout… enhancing the house’s sculptural sensibility.” Arched openings between rooms frame enticing vistas of the spaces beyond, resonating with curved walls, display nooks, and the kitchen island’s banquette.
Apart from its aesthetic brilliance, the Flow House incorporates the latest sustainable systems and materials to promote well-being. Ample windows and skylights invite abundant natural light and ventilation, while establishing a strong connection with the outdoors. The third floor opens up to a roof deck through mahogany-framed, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, while the kitchen features a lofty door leading to the furnished back patio.
The design narrative seamlessly extends to the rear yard, where the new rear façade boasts charcoal-colored panels stepped back on multiple planes to create a roof deck and recessed entrance. The garden captures the essence of compression and expansion, with narrowed planting beds giving way to broader spaces for play, dining, and relaxation. A wooden pergola, brick pavers, and ochre outdoor furniture evoke memories of temperate climates, and lush plantings ensure year-round interest.
Incorporating an array of technical expertise and artistic finesse, the Flow House in Toronto stands as a testament to Dubbeldam Architecture + Design‘s commitment to pushing architectural boundaries while celebrating the essence of family, creativity, and meaningful design.
