Situated on a long and narrow midtown lot backing onto a laneway, in Bloor West neighborhood of Toronto, The Brother’s Residence is an integrated piece of architecture that provides 3,600 square feet of living space for three families on Lippincott Street.

This multi-unit building forms a distinct street edge with sharp, orthogonal geometries, and marks a positive addition to the wide variety of low-rise residential, commercial building types that comprise Ward 11 of Toronto at Harbord Street area.

The interior spaces cater to the functional needs of the family of each brother without compromising on the form. Three thousand six hundred square feet of well efficiently planned and lit living space are spread out over four levels in three units. Each unit has separate means of egress to address proficiently the fire and building code, and separate laundry and furnace rooms facilitate the function. Three bedrooms including the master bedroom, main and walkout entry, kitchen, living, dining, and office occupy the lowest level and main floor. A master bedroom opens onto a courtyard at the below street level, defining a balance of urban edifice and green refuge.

Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, mechanical room, and laundry facilities occupy the second and third-floor units separately. A private spacious balcony on the top floor also introduces sunlight into the master suite.

Designed to carefully integrate into the surrounding streetscape, the house presents as an appropriate and contextually scaled three-story structure with a combination of rich and natural materials that predominate the façade of the building. The Combination of six sides sawed Eramosa stone and Shou Sugi Ban cedarwood are complemented by porcelain floor tiles and anodized aluminum laser cut screen walls.

The interior stairs are crafted from oak panels, matched by similarly pre-engineered oak floors and handrails lighted up by the skylights.

Despite Lippincott urban context, access to outdoor space is not neglected: a rear balcony off the main floor, lower level courtyard, and a front-facing terrace at the third-floor master suite ensure private outdoor relaxation. This connection to the outdoors beside the large windows can also be fully enjoyed from the homes’ interior spaces, as cleverly framed views of the neighborhood.

Technical sheet

Type of residence: Triplex Residential

Location: Toronto

Year of completion: 2020

Client: Not Disclosed

Built Surface: 3600sf

Contractor: Alva Roy Architects

Photography: Greg Van Riel

About Alva Roy Architects

Alva Roy Architects is an award-winning architectural firm based in Toronto. Since their formation in 2003, they have pushed the boundaries of architecture and interior design with their innovative use of building through honest material and design techniques.

With extensive experience in the management of complex urban town and institutional projects, aRA works with the client to fulfill their needs and the function of the projects.

Residential and Commercial Architects in Toronto.

Since their inception, aRA has been responsible for the design of over 115 projects, 30 of which are in Ontario, and 89 located in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. They are responsible for several residential developments, numerous private residences, restaurants, automotive showrooms, exhibition booths, and interior design such as sunglasses showrooms.