Front To Back Infill by Colizza Bruni Architecture

This award winning semi-detached homes situated on a narrow 25’x 80’ lot next to Ottawa’s Parkdale Market.

 

Front To Back Infill - Exterior 3 - Interior Architecture Art

 

Architect: Colizza Bruni Architecture

Award:

2011 Ontario Association of Architects People’s Choice Awards

2011 Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Awards

Front To Back Infill - Exterior 2 - Interior Architecture Art

Front To Back Infill - Exterior 5 - Interior Architecture Art

Front To Back Infill - Exterior 6 - Interior Architecture Art

Front To Back Infill - Exterior 4 - Interior Architecture Art

Front to back infill boasts 2 small light filled semi-detached homes situated front to back on a narrow 25’x 80’ lot. It is located next to Ottawa’s Parkdale Market on the edge of a proletarian residential neighbourhood interspersed with light industrial buildings. The primary form is a simple 3 storey box positioned at the back of the lot with a second sculpted and fragmented box grafted to the front. The collage of steel, wood, and glass fuses the two homes seamlessly into a singular and robustly sculptured volume.

Front To Back Infill - Interior 1 - Interior Architecture Art

    Front To Back Infill - Interior 3 - Interior Architecture Art   Front To Back Infill - Interior 4 - Interior Architecture Art   Front To Back Infill - Interior 5 - Interior Architecture Art

From the entry of the front unit, metal stairs rise in front of a floor to ceiling window to the primary living space raised one storey above the street. Sculptural cabinets wrap the living space, sinking down to act as a low commode as they pass the dining area, then morph seamlessly into the raised hearth of the minimalist fireplace box. Sunlight is an active component with carefully placed windows to capture sun at different times while floor-to-ceiling glass panels separate the kitchen from the stairwell and further maximize transparency.

Front To Back Infill - Back Interior 1 - Interior Architecture Art

Front To Back Infill - Back Interior 3 - Interior Architecture Art

Front To Back Infill - Back Interior 4 - Interior Architecture Art

Front To Back Infill - Back Interior 5 - Interior Architecture Art

The back unit celebrates the integrity of its three storey box with a dramatic double volume space that connects the kitchen and dining area on the first floor with the living room mezzanine on the second floor creating one continuous and playful space with visual connections and multiple vantage points. Large windows fill the double volume space allowing light to animate the house with multiple shadows on sculptural white walls. Cantilevered maple stairs rise through the home behind a light metal veil.

Location

 

 

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