Gh3 Inc.

House 60

HOUSE 60

Gh3

House 60
© gh3

ARCHITECTS
Gh3

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Blue Springs Construction

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Blackwell Bowick

AREA
315.0 m2

YEAR
2009

LOCATION
Houses

CATEGORY
Houses

House 60
© gh3

Text description provided by architect.

House 60 is a renovation and addition to a 50's suburban house on a large lot in Toronto, Canada.

The existing house was largely introverted—small windows, low ceilings—with a traditional plan—living room, separate dining room and cramped kitchen on the ground floor, and a maze of bedrooms on the second.

An undistinguished building from the exterior—brick with a shallow sloping roof—adorned over time with a wrought iron front porch and aluminum awnings.

House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3

However underwhelming, the existing house was considered by gh3 as a material resource to be reused, rather than abandoned, a position consistent with first principles of sustainability.

Additions were made to both the front and rear of the house resulting in 2 new facades and accomplishing the re–imaging of the house.Much of the house was re–skinned.

This, in combination with the installation of significant interior insulation, greatly reduced the energy requirements of the house.

House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3

The existing pitched roof was removed and a new flat roof, insulated well beyond code requirements.

Completed the new high performing envelope.A 2–storey glass wall at the rear of the house, a 1–storey glass wall at front, and multiple skylights maximize the admission of daylight and facilitate passive ventilation.

The extensive use of glass at the rear allows for the greatest number of views to the garden and at the front, serves as a modern day front porch, reconnecting the building with its site and the city.

House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3

The ground floor of the house is organized as a continuous open space to allow for the changing patterns of use of a growing family.

The principle living space is flanked longitudinally on both sides with service zones containing storage, media units, a pantry, stairs and mechanical spaces, set behind full–height pivoting wall panels.

Floor-to-ceiling glass panels are strategically positioned on the ground and second floors to provide safety for young children while allowing views through all of the principle living spaces.

House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3

Glass panels and walls are selectively fritted with a super–scaled flock pattern, which amplifies the whiteness of the interior.


House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3


House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3


House 60
© gh3
House 60
© gh3

House 60
© gh3

Gh3 Inc.
T +1 416 9151791
Gh3 Inc.
55 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Y9, Canada