Batay Csorba Architects’ Westminster Residence Embraces a Dualistic Design

A Toronto-based architecture firm named Batay Csorba Architects focuses on designing buildings that are sensitive to their surroundings. Their goal is to find harmony between the familiarity of the past and the excitement of new ideas. The Westminster residence, located in a traditional Edwardian neighborhood in High Park, Toronto, demonstrates this philosophy perfectly.

The house, characterized by its classic roof shape, stands out yet harmonizes with its environment, offering a comforting feeling of familiarity and consistency. This unique design also invites exploration beneath its pitched and aged terracotta roof, evoking the charm of an old attic space.

The home showcases an intriguing shift from compact, vault-like areas to expansive, cathedral-like spaces, blending the feel of a hidden lair with a warm, inviting ambiance. From somber tones that evoke a sense of mystery to comfortable and snug accents, the house interior beautifully combines two contrasting styles. This unique blend instills an air of enigma and tranquility, evident in its meticulously chosen furniture and ornaments, ranging from dark walnut, raw travertine, concrete, and lime-washed walls.

Instead of having a gloomy exterior, this house effectively employs both outdoor and indoor lighting due to its unique design, featuring both light and dark elements. The ground level boasts a spacious, covered veranda that stretches across the side garden, all the way under an expansive, overhanging roof. Simultaneously, the master bedroom on the upper floor extends into a high-reaching roof that overlooks the garden, creating a courtyard-like ambiance for the balcony without making it overly secluded.

Take a look around the home in the gallery above.

Read More

2025-03-05 15:25