The Westminster Residence: A Modern Take on Tradition

The Westminster Residence, designed by the Toronto-based architecture studio Batay-Csorba Architects, presents a striking reimagining of the traditional Edwardian gable home. Located in the city’s High Park neighborhood, this residential project integrates the classical pitched roof form into a modern architectural narrative, creating a dynamic yet familiar presence. Batay-Csorba Architects, known for their thoughtful exploration of materiality and spatial experiences, crafted a home that balances form, function, and context while pushing the boundaries of conventional residential design.

Architectural Concept: Merging Tradition with Modernity

At its core, the Westminster Residence seeks to maintain an architectural continuity with its surroundings. The steep terracotta roof, a signature element of the area’s traditional Edwardian homes, forms the foundation of the design. Rather than simply replicating the form, however, Batay-Csorba Architects delves deeper into the concept of occupying the space beneath the roof in a way that evokes the feeling of an attic. This spatial exploration transforms the home, where the compact footprint is counterbalanced by an oversized, cathedral-like gable roof. The high, steep roof pitch is punctuated with top-lit skylights, allowing natural light to flood the interior, further enhancing the openness of the space.

The building is conceived as a composition of three distinct volumes, each expressing a different materiality: a dark, brick-clad base, a heavy stone-clad roof, and tall, rectilinear dormers. The asymmetry of the design, particularly in how the roof hovers over the first floor, creates a sense of tension and intrigue between the elements. This juxtaposition of solid volumes and lightness evokes a sense of fluidity and movement, as if the structure is in constant dialogue with its environment.

Function and Flow: Crafting Space for Everyday Life

The design of the Westminster Residence is not only about visual impact but also about how the space functions for its inhabitants. One of the standout features of the home is its ability to blend intimate, compressed areas with expansive, light-filled volumes. As residents move through the house, they transition from cavernous, enclosed spaces to airy, open rooms that feel vast and welcoming. This dynamic journey through the home mirrors the underlying architectural intent to create a place that evokes both coziness and a sense of freedom.

The home’s layout includes a large, floating covered porch on the main floor, positioned to maximize the corner lot and extend into a private garden. The primary bedroom on the upper level expands into a tall dormer, offering views over the garden below. This space is shielded by a 20-foot-tall brise soleil, which not only enhances privacy but also adds an extra layer of environmental comfort. This combination of strategic openings and private spaces ensures that the residence maintains a strong connection to its urban context while offering secluded, tranquil retreats within.

Materiality and Craftsmanship: Building a Mood

The material choices in the Westminster Residence are integral to both its aesthetic and functional success. The exterior showcases a diverse palette of materials, including terracotta roof shingles, hand-pressed brick, and vertical wood siding, all of which interact with the natural landscape. Over time, these materials will patina, contributing to the building’s evolving character and helping it blend harmoniously with its surroundings.

Inside, the material atmosphere shifts between weight and lightness, with dark-stained walnut, unfilled travertine, and concrete juxtaposed against light-filled spaces with soft lime-washed walls and wide-plank white oak floors. This balance between dark, tactile materials and airy, light-infused areas creates an immersive experience that enhances the home’s spatial rhythm. The quality of craftsmanship is evident in every detail, from custom cabinetry to high-end finishes, making the residence a sophisticated yet warm space to inhabit.

Technical Sheet

default