Project: House Caroline / Location: Toronto, Ontario (Canada) / Architect: Reign Architects / Location: Toronto, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia / Structural Engineer: Contact Engineering / Photographer: Riley Snelling

Located in Toronto’s Leslieville neighborhood, House Caroline is a contemporary A-framed addition to a historic 1850s Victorian home. Reign Architects took what was once a partitioned, dim residence and transformed into an open, bright and warm sanctuary for a growing family, the firm says.

The clients originally had a vision to reshape their home into a reflection of their daily rituals, with a primary focus on adding a new third floor executive retreat. Fueled by the client’s admiration for a majestic maple tree in the backyard, the architects wanted to celebrate nature. Architecturally, the challenge was to preserve Victorian charm amid spatial constraints and limited natural light.

To overcome spatial constraints, the firm’s design solution integrates custom millwork as the main element on the ground floor. Within this ensemble, the dining room transforms the space, adopting the graceful curvature of a banquette nestled within the existing ornate bay window. “This design not only ensures a unilateral seamless flow to and from the front entry, but also preserves a fully functional dining space capable of accommodating eight individuals comfortably,” the firm says.

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At the intersection of the kitchen and living room, the architectural narrative unfolds as white oak cabinets seamlessly intertwine with the media unit. This synthesis not only bestows ample floor-to-ceiling storage, but also unveils curated display niches. The entertainment unit assumes a dual role, serving as a functional storage bench and an inviting space for additional guest seating, or a cozy retreat by the wood-burning fire.

The architect’s decision to incorporate a double winder stair with streamlined, stacked guard rails demonstrates architectural finesse, efficiently liberating precious space within the home’s constrained width and shallow depth. “This strategic design maneuver not only facilitated the introduction of a luxurious marble kitchen island, but also allowed for functional programming at the extremities of the residence across all three levels,” the firm says.

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Mindful of the solar arc within the north-facing semi-detached context, Reign addressed lighting constraints through the strategic utilization of southern light from above, and through the incorporation of warm western light streaming from the residence’s rear facade.

“At the ground level, an expansive floor-to-ceiling window assembly, complete with a glass corner, deliberately blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior realms,” the architects say. “This not only establishes a strong physical connection to the old maple tree, but also provides unobstructed, continuous exposure to the dynamic interplay of light throughout the 24 hour day.”

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As you ascend through the home, light unfolds, orchestrated by an open stair design that channels illumination from a strategically positioned skylight above. Crafted in harmony with the A-framed timber roof, the skylight faces directly south, ensuring the capture of optimal sunlight throughout the day. Additionally, exposed Douglas fir roof beams intersect the skylight opening over the stairwell, imparting a timeless presence and forging a connection to the natural world.

“House Caroline is a home that not only accommodates the practicalities of family life, but also establishes an inherent connection with the natural environment through deliberate material choices, panoramic vistas, and strategically designed private outdoor spaces that embrace the resident maple tree,” Reign says. “What initially started as a client’s vision for an evolved home has transformed into a blend of history, modernism, warmth, openness, and a timeless bond with the natural surroundings.”