THE MAPLE AVENUE RESIDENCE

Like many projects, the design began with the modest goal of opening up an existing brick bungalow to the south and the view over the Dundas Valley and Niagara Escarpment beyond.

It soon became obvious there was a much larger opportunity in the unique setting that only a new dwelling would be able to capture. Echoing the strong horizontal lines of the escarpment limestone face, the 2 level plan reads as a single storey from the street , following the natural slope north and down to open up with a lower level walk out and a raised terrace sitting area located beneath a mature Honey Locust tree. The most recent additions for a sunroom, double garage and equipment structure further reinforce the integration of interior rooms with usable outdoor spaces.

Geo-exchange HVAC is augmented by passive solar shading along the south façade to control summer heat gain and maximise the low level winter solar exposure. Clerestorey windows north and south provide ample daylighting. The material palette of white and grey, with douglas fir and cedar accents moves seamlessly from inside to out, forming a neutral backdrop for the surrounding landscape.