Krka House
A single family residence in the mature neighbourhood of Parkallen. Flanked by a major thoroughfare to the north, the house is situated to open up to the park to the west.
The house is situated on a corner lot facing an open green space to the west. This unique site characteristic allows the design to have frontage to both the main and flanking side street. The design focuses major program orientations towards the westerly greenspace. This approach strikes the best balance of maximizing natural light, views, and ensuring privacy from the more active approach to the north. The clients had a desire for outdoor amenity space without a high maintenance rear yard. Therefore, two rooftop amenity spaces were designed which give the owners the best of both worlds. Moreover, the design focuses on biophilic design, blending interior and exterior spaces from an experiential perspective.
Siting is always an important characteristic when designing infill. Moreover, when the regulations of the Mature Neighbourhood Overlay (“MNO”) are in effect, there are further restrictions on the development criteria for the site. This, combined with the fact that the site is a corner lot, provided some challenges for the project.
The approach was to identify the important requirements for the client to inform which variances would be sought. In this instance, the client required a rear attached garage - a condition prohibited under the MNO. However, the team was cognizant of the ability to get the development passed as long as there was no undue interference with the amenities of the neighbourhood, or material interference with neighbouring parcels of land.
As is typical with infill developments in the neighbourhood, the building is located on a relatively narrow but lengthy lot. Informed by an existing curb cut on the south-west, the building is tiered as it extends to the north property line to blend within the existing neighbourhood context. The existing treed boulevard in the neighbourhood also provides natural privacy to the residence and surrounding homes, while also reducing any massing impacts from the development.
The building is characterized by its modern form and clean lines. The focus is on the strategic use of simple materials in a thoughtfully considered manner, both inside and out. The polished concrete floors create a blank canvas that highlight the carefully selected finishing throughout. The prevailing theme for the main floor is a black kitchen and dark stone feature wall that bookends the space and extends through the entire three storey volume.
holo-blok Team
External Team
