When one of Canada’s leading plastic surgeons, Dr. Jamil Asaria (a married, father of three), selected Audax to oversee the design of his new home, he had never contemplated Audax’s bold proposal that the home be built above his plastic surgery clinic. However, Dr. Asaria and his wife immediately appreciated the unique opportunity presented by Audax, and enthusiastically accepted the proposal to convert the second floor into a living space.
Influenced by Milanese design, the interior features a luxurious open concept layout in the 4200 square-foot space. All the comforts of a traditional family house are enjoyed on the single-floor family home, including a formal foyer & dining room, an open concept kitchen & living room, a (tucked away) butler’s kitchen, four bedrooms, three washrooms, and an outdoor patio. The homeowners also enjoy a private entrance and an elevator with direct access to their clinic below.
The design includes a rich palette of materials, including brass, marble, walnut, and plush textiles. Audax’s very own custom Donatello Console is featured in the formal dining room along with rialto navy Jonathan Adler dining-room chairs and a rosewood dining room table. The living room features a double-sided fireplace with marble mantle together with Restoration Hardware sofas and chairs, and custom-made cushions. The powder room includes a gold umbrella hex tile coupled with a textured gold wallpaper and custom fabricated marble vanity. The dramatic primary ensuite showcases a striking burled elm wood wall in a high gloss piano finish with Grand Antique black marble.
The design of each space is unique and luxurious, and features a mix of traditional and modern elements. The traditional wall paneling is set against a contemporary-styled walnut kitchen and integrated breakfast banquette. The primary bedroom includes a modern take on a traditional Italian tapestry with the use of Armani Casa wallpaper on the bed wall against a shagreen headboard and nightstands from Restoration Hardware.
Design Team
- Architecture/Interior Design: Audax
- Custom Furnishings: Audax
- Client Name: Dr. Jamil Asaria
- Location: Toronto, Canada
- Project Manager: Den Bosch + Finchley
- Project End Date: 2018
- Press distribution: V2com
Photographer: Erik Rotter
About Audax
Founded in 2007, Audax is an award-winning architecture and interior design firm with expertise in the luxury real estate market, and a strong focus on high-end residential design. Under the design leadership of Gianpiero Pugliese, Audax’s projects are diverse in design style. The firm’s work is motivated by Human Architecture, a design approach developed by the studio that combines the best elements of traditional architecture with a modern aesthetic.
By offering both architecture and interior design services, Audax provides a holistic approach to design that balances the technical, aesthetic, and functional objectives of a project. The results of this combined expertise are buildings and interior spaces with a clearly articulated design language and a seamless integration between its architecture, interior design and décor.
About Gianpiero Pugliese, Founding Principal, B.A., M.Arch., O.A.A.
Leading all architectural and interior design activities at Audax, Gianpiero has a Primary of Architecture from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. He also studied design at the Venice Institute of Architecture in Italy. Prior to founding Audax, Gianpiero worked as a project architect responsible for the design of numerous large scale, mixed-use developments throughout North America.
His current work at Audax explores the relationship between traditional design principles and the modern aesthetic. This approach, which he coined as Human Architecture, aims to bring the tactile, relatable and human-scaled elements that were lost during the Modern period back into contemporary design. The results of using this approach are buildings and interior spaces that appeal to those who admire the warmth and detailing of traditional architecture but also appreciate modern design.
