Carved Spaces Defining Purpose at Studioac‘s Casa Loma
StudioAC, led by Andrew Hill and Jennifer Kudlats, innovatively designed their latest residence, nestled behind the historic Casa Loma stables in Toronto. This residence weaves art and architecture into a living gallery, distinguished by its two mirrored voids: a carport facing east and a sculpture court to the west. These voids, carved directly from the building’s volume, frame the property with commanding precision.
The design approach in this home echoes the studio’s previous projects, creating outdoor rooms that integrate seamlessly with the house’s structure, rather than extending into the yard. The distinct symmetry of these voids underlines their functionality and artistic intention.
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Sculptural Elements Meet Architectural Innovation at Studioac’s Casa Loma
A standalone brick enclosure forms the heart of the sculpture garden, evoking the feeling of an interior room stripped bare. This space stands as a deliberate architectural statement, maintaining spatial qualities even when traditional elements are removed.
Drawing inspiration from Casa Loma’s masonry heritage, the residence is wrapped in warm buff brick, blending historical reference with modern design. This material seamlessly extends into the garden’s standalone structures, giving light and shadow a textured surface to work across throughout the day.
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Light, Space, and Living in This Masterpiece
The rear pavilion of the residence, housing the main living area, opens up toward the lush garden and sculptural courtyard, inviting ample natural light into the home. The fully glazed edge of the courtyard illuminates the dining and kitchen areas from the center, prioritizing depth and light above privacy.
This design flexibility is further reflected in the upper floors. Compact and efficient, they allow the main living areas below to expand upwards, utilizing vertical space remarkably effectively.
Structural Elegance and Purpose at Studioac’s Casa Loma
The principal floor features a network of beams that create a loft-like ambiance, employing new glulam timber as both structure and ornament. This design echoes StudioAC’s previous works while providing a clean and unobtrusive framework to showcase art and lifestyle.
StudioAC consistently employs a strategy of restraint in materiality and composition, emphasizing everyday rituals and art as the focal point. The firm, named Canada’s Best Emerging Designer in 2019, continues to gather acclaim for its thoughtful integration of ideas into cohesive projects like this unique residence.
At the western boundary, a lone brick plane defines a room open to interpretation, its surface crafted to capture light rather than support objects. This feature encapsulates StudioAC’s vision for a home where design and daily life seamlessly intersect.
Source: urdesignmag.com
Frequently asked questions
What key design features define StudioAC’s Casa Loma residence?
The residence is defined by two mirrored voids: a carport facing east and a sculpture court to the west, both carved directly from the building’s volume. The house integrates outdoor rooms seamlessly into the structure, underlining functionality and artistic intention.
How does the Casa Loma residence incorporate historical elements?
The residence draws inspiration from Casa Loma’s masonry heritage, wrapped in warm buff brick that blends historical reference with modern design. This design is extended into the garden’s standalone structures, reflecting light and shadow throughout the day.
What strategy does StudioAC employ in their design approach?
StudioAC employs a strategy of restraint in materiality and composition, emphasizing everyday rituals and art as central elements. Their designs prioritize clean and unobtrusive frameworks to showcase art and lifestyle.