Russell Hill Road Residence by Taylor Smyth Architects

Team: Taylor Smyth Architects in collaboration with Cecconi Simone

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Size: 5,700 sq. ft.

Contractor: WPML Project Management

Press distribution: v2com

About Taylor Smyth Architects

Taylor Smyth Architects is a full-service Canadian practice dedicated to the creation of enduring buildings of exceptional quality.

Since its inception in 2000, Taylor Smyth Architects has developed an international reputation for creating elegant architecture and interiors within Canada and abroad. Each project is cultivated from the spirit of its location, the unique tastes and aspirations of our clients, and a focus on authentic material expression.

They develop trusting, long-term relationships with clients, suppliers, contractors, and colleagues by listening carefully, providing unparalleled service, and through their exceptional attention to detail. They combine their project experience and technical rigor with a profound interest in the way people live, work, and play, to create innovative buildings that both nurture and delight.

They are inspired by fundamental criteria to which they believe all people respond: light, texture and color, natural materials and proportions, a sense of openness and of the sheltered enclosure, access to views, and a connection to the outdoors. Combining these sensitivities with quality materials and fine craftsmanship, they aspire to create refined private residences, high-quality public buildings, and exceptional redevelopment projects.

Their award-winning firm has expertise in a broad range of project types including residential and interior design, educational, recreational, and workplace facilities, retail environments, and master planning. Their work has received wide recognition through numerous local, national, and international publications and awards.

This is a look at the front of the house where you can see the driveway on the right leading to the basement garage and the walkway on the left with outdoor lights leading to the main entrance.

This is a look at the back of the house showcasing the large glass walls that glow warmly from the interior lighting. You are also given glimpses of the interiors.

This is a look at the backyard pool from the vantage of the covered patio with a large outdoor L-shaped sectional sofa paired with coffee tables. There are also lounge chairs on the opposite side of the pool.

This is a closer look at the covered patio next to the poolside area. It has two large L-shaped sectional sofas next to the large glass walls of the ground level.

This is a look at the backyard swimming pool from the side of the lounge chairs. You can see here the tall trees of the landscape that bring shade and privacy to the poolside area.

This is an aerial view of the back of the house. You can see here the proximity of the backyard pool to the covered patio that is bathed in warm lights from the glass walls.

This is the large formal dining room with a long rectangular wooden dining table surrounded by wooden chairs that match the hardwood flooring. These are then complemented by the large painting on the wall.

This is the spacious living room with enough room for a large U-shaped sectional sofa and a couple of sofas by the modern fireplace on the far side embedded into a large black marble panel.

This bathroom has a consistent white marble tone on its floating vanities and walls that make the mirrors and cabinetry stand out. These are then illuminated by the large wall on the far side.

The kitchen has a white marble waterfall kitchen island topped with spherical pendant lights. Across from this is the bright cabinetry that makes the appliances stand out.

This is a look at the side of the house by the garage doors. Here you can see the tall glass wall of the staricase that spans three floors.

This is the floor plan for the basement showcasing the various sections like the garage and the living space.

This is the floor plan for the ground floor showcasing the various sections like the dining room and living room.

This is the floor plan for the upper floor showcasing the various sections like bedrooms and bathrooms.

This is an illustration of the side elevation of the house showing the basement and the other floors.

This is an illustration of the aerial view of the whole property showcasing the various structures and sections as well as outdoor areas.

This new contemporary residence in the traditional Toronto neighborhood of Forest Hill is an excellent example of how modern design can both fit in yet also stand out. Large slabs of Indiana Limestone and locally sourced Algonquin rubble stone, both prevalent throughout the neighborhood, clad the exterior walls and base of the house, tying it into the local vernacular.

Careful detailing of limestone projections around windows and copings creates subtle relief, producing shades and shadows that break-up the flatness of the walls, a lesson interpreted in a contemporary way from the older surrounding houses.

The house nestles into the landscape – its Algonquin rubble stone base reappears on the landscape garden walls, and sandblasted Algonquin is used for paving and the broad steps leading to the front entrance. At the rear, the same Algonquin clads the back wall of the swimming pool to create a unified composition.

Natural light floods the interior: the dining room is illuminated by a linear skylight along its length and can be opened into the kitchen by a series of pivoting doors to allow it to seat up to 30 people. A 16-foot-high living room with clerestory windows on three sides occupies the back of the house, featuring a continuous wall of glass that looks out onto a covered patio with a deep overhang to provide shading.

Taylor Smyth Architects and Cecconi Simone collaborated on the design of the house, with the sophisticated interiors custom designed by Cecconi Simone to incorporate bronze privacy screens, stone, wood paneling, and built-in millwork.

By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.