This Century-Old Toronto Beach House Was Renovated to Perfection
Attempting to transform a 110-year-old house is a serious undertaking. Trying to do so while also placating the residents of a beloved Toronto neighbourhood is a whole other issue. Luckily, local development company baukultur/ca knew exactly what they were getting themselves into with this homey gem in The Beaches.
The Beaches, of course, is an east-end ‘hood well known for its distinct character and waterfront scenery. While the house needed to complement its surroundings, the architects’ still hoped to give it a decidedly more modern vibe.
That modernism is evident in its looks, but it’s also present in its approach to sustainability: in an attempt to minimize the home’s carbon footprint, natural materials and special finishes — like thermally modified wooden planks — were used to reduce the need for future maintenance.
The open-concept main floor allows natural light to flow seamlessly across rooms, helping to keep daytime energy usage down.
The interiors are predominantly white, with light and clean finishes. Whitewashed solid oak floors run through the home and ensure that the rooms are as bright as can be.
Large windows and skylights help to showcase the home’s stunning natural surroundings on all four floors.
The thermally modified wood at the front and rear of the home is framed beautifully by white metal cladding on the side walls and roof. The family room addition at the back of the house, meanwhile, is clad in eye-catching standing seam copper.