Kariouk Architects

Westboro Home

Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates

Westboro Home 

Kariouk Associates

MANUFACTURERS
Andersen Windows & Doors, Arriscraft, Cape Cod, Ceragres, Gaggenau, Savant,ll, Town & Country Fireplaces

LOCATION
Canada

CATEGORY
Houses

The site for this home was a narrow lot in a downtown neighborhood, which carried with it extensive code limitations on side windows.

Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates

A further challenge was negotiating the difference in grade between the two neighbouring lots.

An already steeply sloping site, the neighbours to the West raised their rear yard an additional 1.5m, ultimately creating a difference in neighbouring lot heights of approximately 2.5m.

Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates

The design of the home revolves around a two storey, light-filled raised garden courtyard.

The garden takes a “bite” out of the tight, permissible building area, however it allowed for an extensive amount of glass that otherwise, due to restrictive building code requirements, would not be possible.

Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates

The courtyard’s lot-line side remains open, while its three interior sides are filled with windows and bring natural light into the heart of the home on both living floors.

The courtyard is filled with ornamental plantings, and while it serves as a “daylight-magnet,” it also serves as a lush, visual focus for each of the primary living spaces of the home.

Upon stepping into the foyer, one is immediately presented with a series of linked views that unite the very front of the home to the very back of the property.

Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates

The opposing wall of the interior foyer is entirely glass and shows the exterior, raised garden courtyard; this view continues through the courtyard and joins the interior of the formal dining room; this view then extends to an exterior garden bridge over the lower rear yard that ultimately joins visually to the interior of a three-season reading pavilion set in the rear yard.

A sense of privacy is created, despite the numerous and large windows that were achieved, as the main living areas begin a full-flight above street level;a slate and glass entry stair and walkway create a generous arrival point for visitors.

Likewise, the entry stair/foyer volume is clad in white masonry in order to visually advance and welcome visitors towards the walkway (while the volume housing primary living spaces as well as the garage below is clad in black clapboard in order to recede from the sidewalk).

Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates

A continuous visual and spatial gap cuts entirely through the home between the light and dark volumes; an open-riser stair is inserted into that void, set against the backdrop of the garden courtyard.


Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates
Westboro Home
Courtesy of Kariouk Associates


Westboro Home
Basament Floor Plan
Westboro Home
Ground Floor Plan
Westboro Home
Second Floor Plan

Kariouk Architects
T +1 613 5622211
Kariouk Architects
179 George St #1204, Ottawa, ON K1N 1J8, Canada