Collier

The multi-floor overhaul of this historic Toronto home was a dramatic and interesting challenge. Our goal was to retain the character of the home’s Victorian features, while modernizing and enhancing the home’s elegance. We wanted to honour both the history and character of the home as well as our clients’ sophisticated modern aesthetic. To support the dramatic new layout, a steel moment frame was threaded from the basement to the second floor, allowing us to dramatically open up the interior and build the striking steel single stringer staircase with cantilevered treads and landings. The sculptural stair was paired with glass and custom railings, while the floating treads on the basement stairs were cut from solid oak. Sunlight pours in through that open stairwell, animating the space with shifting patterns and lightness. The stair now serves as both a functional core and visual anchor of the home. Opening up the walls surrounding it and inserting large triple-glazed window assemblies transformed the home’s natural light and flow.