Atelier Rzlbd

Instar House

Instar House
© Borzu Talaie
Instar House
© Borzu Talaie

INSTAR HOUSE

rzlbd

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Jordyn Development

MANUFACTURERS
Chateau Window & Door Systems, Rh Hardwares, Royal Oak

STRUCTURE
Gamaley And Associates

PHOTOGRAPHS
BORZU TALAIE

AREA
2200 Ft² 

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Toronto, Canada

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Instar House is a minimalist three-storey wood & steel structure, which is located on the southern edge of Allenby, a neighbourhood on the border between North York and Toronto.

Instar House
© Borzu Talaie
Instar House
© Borzu Talaie

While carefully responds to the needs and lifestyle of the clients, the house has moulted from the small foot-print of the two-and-a-half storey structure that had occupied the site since early 1950s and was infamously nicknamed as half-house.

The evolution of design was based on a clear distinction between the two main volumes which are both stretched east-west: a larger one in grey that contains all the served spaces; and a smaller replica in black that accommodates all the servant spaces.

Instar House
© Borzu Talaie
Instar House
© Borzu Talaie

In order to maintain a sense of autonomy all the major glazed openings on the larger volume are connected and the exterior of this modest monolithic mass is rendered in seamless stucco.

The staircase / void which sits on the centre of the larger volume, not only allows for visual communication, also divides each floor level into two sections: on the main floor, a living room on the west and a kitchen with a dining banquette on the east; on the second floor, two bedrooms that are connected through a glass bridge which overlooks the kitchen and provides a shared study area for kids; the third floor has been dedicated to a generous master bedroom with the sleeping zone on one side and a roof top patio on the opposite side where clients can enjoy an outdoor hot-tub while looking towards a beautiful park.

Instar House
© Borzu Talaie
Instar House
© Borzu Talaie

The smaller volume facilitates all the utilities and services: a mechanical and laundry room in the basement; a powder room and the entry foyer on the main floor; a shared bathroom and a laundry chute on the second floor; and a master ensuite on the top.


Instar House
© Borzu Talaie
Instar House
© Borzu Talaie
Instar House
© Borzu Talaie


Instar House
Diagram


Instar House
Main Floor Plan
Instar House
Basement
Instar House
2nd Floor Plan
Instar House
3rd Floor Plan


Instar House
Diagram
Instar House
Diagram


Instar House
Site Plan

Atelier Rzlbd
T +1 416 2231900
Atelier Rzlbd
220 Duncan Mill Rd #617, North York, ON M3B 3J5, Canada