North Kingsway Residence by Altius Architecture

Posted on: June 27th, 2011 | 11 Comments

John and Matthew have an in detail discussion about a single family house renovation by Altius Architecture in Toronto.


Photos Courtesy of Ihor Pona & Altius Architecture Inc.

  • Louise

    Sorry, but I find this redesign appalling.  The exisiting facade may have been kitschy, but it had a sense of welcome and humanity about it.  The new facade is brutal and offputting.  If you like that sort of thing, go build it new someplace.  Slow Home is supposed to be about sustainability.  In this case, a great deal of material and money was wasted on disfiguring a perfectly usable building.   

  • Terri

    Louise, I agree with your reaction to this renovation. The interior is starkly modern now, so the exterior kind of had to change to match it. But, really, why not just build modern somewhere else? As for that reading nook, it needs a mattress or pad if anyone is going to actually lie there and read a book!

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Louise – thanks for your comments and honest feedback on this project  - I am not sure the condition of the original house, so it may have been in need of some work due to its age. Nevertheless, I do think that remodeling an existing structure (as opposed to building new) does have a lot of sustainable attributes in that the existing structure (as well as the connective city infrastructure) is recycled as opposed to entirely demolished. It is also less energy and material intensive to remodel than it is to build a new structure. The discussion point you make is valid – why go through all the effort to renovate this particular building in such a way – I think the home owners and architects would be the best to answer that question for us.

  • Bwaters87

    John, what is modest about this complete renovation.

    It would be an understatement to say the facade of this house lacks distinction. It looks like a cheap two story builders box with a DIY attempt at modernism tacked on. 

    Fortunately, the floorplan and the interiors, particularly, the kitchen save this house. 

  • Clem

    If you go to the Altius web site you can find more about this project under renovations. The original house is of heavy masonary construction. The renovation included exterior insulation to encase the masonary to lower the heating cost, control mositure and improve passive cooling. While the stone was charming possibly the ongoing heating cost, CO2 generated and damage from moisture may have driven the choice to cover it. Obviously something about the house, grounds and community made it worthwhile to renovate. Also note that the stone facing had clipped corners at the eves and that this was changed (possibly to removed clipped bedroom corners or the need to fix a roof problem). Best regards.

  • Clem

    If you go to the Altius web site you can find more about this project under renovations. The original house is of heavy masonary construction. The renovation included exterior insulation to encase the masonary to lower the heating cost, control mositure and improve passive cooling. While the stone was charming possibly the ongoing heating cost, CO2 generated and damage from moisture may have driven the choice to cover it. Obviously something about the house, grounds and community made it worthwhile to renovate. Also note that the stone facing had clipped corners at the eves and that this was changed (possibly to removed clipped bedroom corners or the need to fix a roof problem). Best regards.

  • Marilyn

    The winding North Kingsway in Toronto is a leafy neighbourhood of of stately homes on largish lots (for Toronto). This angular facade would not fit in at all with the surrounding lovely older houses. Should not an architect – city planning and the owner – take this into consideration when renovating? This house would enhance a semi-industrial area of the city, not the North Kingsway.

  • Kirk

    I am a follower of Altius Architecture and a supporter of their design work. As a builder it has been my experience that it is often the homeowners or even the contractor’s execution or choice of exterior finishes that have an adverse impact on the final results.  I familiar with this house and also a fan of modern design in established more traditional neighbourhoods however this renovation falls short.

  • Clem

    There is a lot to be said for an appealing initial experience. Would a color change or a different selection of siding material cause a different reaction? Going back to the Altius web site, I looked for other examples. Under houses there is Hewitt Ave House with more wood and some dark red brick that to me appears more textured. Under Renovations there are New Haven and Kingsway Cresent that have lighter and warmer colors. I would be interested to know what other people think. - – Looking at this house on the web site I noticed that the color value may be off (darker in image then reality). The photographer may be trying to emphasis the object. This could be ironic if the architect and owners were trying to use a darker shade to allow the house to recede behind the landscaping and trees (Think of a cabin painted dark that is swallowed by surrounding vegitation). Or in trying to bring in the stone base they may have chosen the wrong body color.

  • Steve in Van

    Without adding to the comments about the exterior of this completed project, I offer the following from SSD Architects.  They also added a front addition to modernize the exterior but retained the masonry — and thus the character — of the original home.

  • Steve in Van

    Without adding to the comments about the exterior of this completed project, I offer the following from SSD Architects.  They also added a front addition to modernize the exterior but retained the masonry — and thus the character — of the original home.