North West 10 is a new, modestly scaled in Toronto East York neighborhood. The street side façade of the flat-topped dwelling, appears to be sternly modernist composition of white stucco surface punctuated by black framed windows.

The concept was born out of sternly modernist composition of a box and black framed windows reshaping with new architectural elements such as different angles and volumes to make it more sensible architecture for today. This new 2000 square feet structure situated on a narrow lot in old Toronto which has respected its previous footprint is in the path to establish a new model for the future cost effective, refined contemporary and sustainable infill.

The architects were inspired by increasing demand for more energy efficient buildings introduce a new unusual angle into their schemes. This project witnesses the start of a search for using different angle of 90-degree in architectural elements to create an environmentally conscious feature and bring excitement to architecture. The other element considered in the design of this project is volume. The structure of the house consists of two volumes. One sizable and bold and another that is more complex, private, even slightly secretive which results the quietly dramatic effect of the façade’s main extent contrasts with the intimacy of the small entrance pavilion, off to one side and the front glazing turn inward away from the street, inviting eye inside.

By turning the front opening into 10 degree toward North West, the solar orientation of openings has been corrected and increases the energy efficiency, making it more comfortable live in and cheaper to run. To bring more light in, the cubic form of the volume has been sliced by the same angle in two other locations and glazed in order to receive the best natural light throughout the year. Not to forget the importance of respecting the original footprint to achieve one of the most essential factor in sustainable design.

Photo Credit: Tom Arban