Lytton Residence

Located on a challenging downslope lot on the edge of a protected ravine in Toronto, Canada, the residence merges the client’s distinctive design goals with an extensive list of programmatic requirements customized for their large and growing family. The 9,600-sf home is crafted to evoke the sensation of floating amongst the natural landscape's vegetation. The house is thoughtfully perched atop a ravine nestled in a thick growth of trees. Soft wood curves articulate the exterior soffits, framing floor-to-ceiling windows, and grounding the building in its forested location. Brick is the vernacular language of Toronto but is used here not just as solid cladding but as a screening material that strategically pivots open to the preferred views, utilizing traditional materials in untraditional ways.

Similarly inside, the dining room showcases a unique CNC-milled wood screen, serving as both a privacy element and a sculptural focal point upon entry. Employing a similar technique to the brick, the slats stack upon each other and create a visual barrier at the entry. However, as you move further into the house, they twist open to reveal a view of the dining room and the ravine beyond.

The clients are a large young family with a strong adherence to their heritage and cherish their time together. The interior design approach celebrates each family member’s unique personality while working with common aesthetic principles that result in a cohesive design. Their appreciation for rich materiality, vibrant colors, and playful composition is interwoven throughout various spaces in the home. The clients were actively engaged in the design process at every stage, envisioning a house that would evolve with their family. The house transitions from formal elegance to child-friendly spaces, where the style is lively yet sophisticated. Throughout the home, a sense of elegance, comfort, and play prevails, truly reflecting its owners.

Status: Completed 2022

Project Type: Residential; Building Type: New Construction

Size: 9,600 sf; Location: Toronto, Ontario

Partners: Daniel Rentsch, Jennifer Wu

Project Architect: Daniel Rentsch

Interior Designer: Jennifer Wu

Project Team: Merve Krenzke, Alexis Roohani, Alice Hernandez, Devon Montminy, Tianyu Kan, Jessica Hong, David Cheung, Melissa Yip, Joshua Hanley