Toronto Renovation Blends Old and New with Flawless Design

ByJon Dykstra Houses

South Hill House by StudioAC

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Completion: 2022
Architect: StudioAC
StudioAC Team: Mo Soroor, Yu Chu Su, Jennifer Kudlats, Andrew Hill
Structural Engineering: GABRIS Associates
Construction Management: Gozlan Vouriot & Co
Millwork: Cabinetlab
Photos: Jeremie Warshafsky Photography
Press Distribution: v2com

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About StudioAC

Founded in 2015, Studio for Architecture & Collaboration is an interdisciplinary architectural practice based in Toronto. Led by Andrew Hill and Jennifer Kudlats, the practice has received numerous accolades, appearing in a number of national and international publications including Azure Magazine’s list of 30 Canadian Architecture Firms Breaking New Ground. StudioAC was also named 2019 Emerging Designer of the Year by the Design Exchange and RBC.

StudioAC works closely with clients, consultants, and contractors at every stage of its work, from conception to realization. The studio believes that every challenge presents limitless opportunities, and they address each new project with enthusiasm and willingness to listen in order to create something unique and special.

StudioAC is registered with the Ontario Association of Architects.

The living space features parquet flooring and large archways fitted with built-in shelves.
The living space features parquet flooring and large archways fitted with built-in shelves.
Tall windows invite an abundance of natural light in.
Tall windows invite an abundance of natural light in.
The home offers lots of storage including floating shelves and base cabinets.
The home offers lots of storage including floating shelves and base cabinets.
A closer look at the cabinet's beautiful wooden countertop.
A closer look at the cabinet’s beautiful wooden countertop.
The staircase features minimalist concrete railings adorned with sleek curves.
The staircase features minimalist concrete railings adorned with sleek curves.
The curves continue in the kitchen's ceiling to create a softer look.
The curves continue in the kitchen’s ceiling to create a softer look.
Double height ceiling and skylight boost the area's spaciousness.
Double height ceiling and skylight boost the area’s spaciousness.
The curved staircase is full of character. It sets a pleasing focal point in the interior.
The curved staircase is full of character. It sets a pleasing focal point in the interior.
Built-in cabinets with soft edges complement well with the light wood flooring.
Built-in cabinets with soft edges complement well with the light wood flooring.
This bathroom has a floating vanity and a walk-in shower framed with an archway.
This bathroom has a floating vanity and a walk-in shower framed with an archway.
The archway is mirrored on the entrance for added visual interest.
The archway is mirrored on the entrance for added visual interest.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide ample storage and double as dividers.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide ample storage and double as dividers.
The walk-in closet includes a built-in vanity with a large mirror.
The walk-in closet includes a built-in vanity with a large mirror.

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The vanity's countertop matches the center island.
The vanity’s countertop matches the center island.
This vaulted space makes a nice seating or reading nook.
This vaulted space makes a nice seating or reading nook.
Huge corner windows provide this bedroom with panoramic views of the leafy, tree-filled neighborhood.
Huge corner windows provide this bedroom with panoramic views of the leafy, tree-filled neighborhood.
A closer look at the staircase graced with a modern and minimalist aesthetic.
A closer look at the staircase graced with a modern and minimalist aesthetic.
The balcony is brightened by large picture windows and linear skylights.
The balcony is brightened by large picture windows and linear skylights.
The picture window frames the neighbor's house making it appear like an artwork.
The picture window frames the neighbor’s house making it appear like an artwork.
Combined living room and kitchen with a fireplace, a steel island, and a two-story ceiling.
Combined living room and kitchen with a fireplace, a steel island, and a two-story ceiling.
The fireplace instantly creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in the open living space.
The fireplace instantly creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in the open living space.

Located north of downtown Toronto, near Casa Loma, South Hill House is a renovation, restoration, and addition to an older brick home. When altering both the interior and exterior, a sensitivity to the existing structure was observed. The new addition stands in contrast with contemporary details, larger open spaces, and modernist massing.

The siting of the project was influenced by local zoning regulations, however the new mass also yields to the existing house along the north elevation to celebrate the different periods of construction. There is no mistaking what is new vs. old, but the new addition utilizes a brick chosen to match that of the existing house, and to pay homage to the greater Toronto vernacular.

Across the façade of the existing house, built openings were respected and referenced when conceiving interior layouts. In the addition, expansive panoramic openings were used to bring in natural light and to expand the perspective across the leafy, tree-filled neighbourhood.

Upon entry, one is greeted with a foyer space that frames a new whimsical and softer geometry denoted by curved openings, stairs, and double height spaces. This curvaceous approach also acts as a diagram to contrast new vs old. Existing openings and room divisions remain rectilinear, while new openings in the addition and incisions through the existing structure have softer edges, drawing the eye across, up, and through the project.

A minimalist pallet of wood floors and white walls helps maintain the play of light throughout the project, which is a main theme in the home and changes as the sun tracks across the property. Subtle accent materials, including stone at fireplaces, steel at kitchen islands, and a fashion-boutique-inspired pallet within the closet, are introduced where a more robust approach is required.

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Jon Dykstra
Jon Dykstra

Jon practiced law before launching his online publishing career, bringing analytical rigor to everything he builds. Home Stratosphere combines that precision with a lifelong obsession with residential design — architecture, interiors, landscape, and furniture.

His current focus is AI-driven design analysis, using artificial intelligence to study patterns in color, layout, and material choice across thousands of homes. His Personality Type Home Design Guide applies personality frameworks to interior aesthetics, helping readers design spaces that reflect how they actually think and live.

His favorite piece on the site is the 25 Most Popular Designs, is a daily-updated ranking of the top designs over the last 30 days, driven entirely by visitor activity. The feedback is invaluable for understanding what resonates most with readers. LinkedIn

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