Completion: 2022 Location: Toronto, Canada Area: 1020 sf

Studio Z Owner and Architect Zuzanna Krykorka designed and oversaw construction on this Laneway house for her Parkdale Toronto property.

Unique for a laneway house, the house has windows on all sides, bringing in an abundance of natural light while also interacting with the life of a city laneway. The "lit" house at night makes it obvious that this is an inhabited living space, occupants becoming part of the neighborhood rather than tucked away in secret.

The ground floor is a light-filled open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with views to the backyard framed by 3 massive 150 year old maple trees. Upstairs a spa-inspired bathroom with a large skylight surrounded by the tree canopy. Looking in either direction reveals that the central hall lines up with the north and south second-floor windows, again a nod to the house's laneway origins.

Construction details follow passive house principles. The large window at the top of the stairs— again framing a view of the sky—is a feature referred to as "the oculus." By night, the oculus glows warmly from the outside, like a streetlamp for the laneway, while during the day it can be opened so as to function as a cooling shaft. Heating is provided by in-floor hydronic radiant on both floors powered by an electric boiler. A heat pump water heater does the domestic hot water. Meanwhile, dense-pack cellulose insulation retains this heat during the winter and minimizes the need for air-conditioning in the summer.

Ventilation is enabled by Lunos "breathing wall" technology, a through-wall variable system that is coupled with a ceramic regenerative heat exchanger. Operating in pairs, these devices are installed directly through an exterior wall and provide continuous circulation without the need for duct-work, all of which has the added benefit of furthering the open, clean design aesthetic.

The laneway house sits comfortably among the many garages of this Parkdale lane. With its steel roof, wood siding and dark robust exterior, it wears its Toronto garage vernacular proudly, an active part of the laneway urban environment.

Contractor: Oriel Renovations

Landscape Architect: Amy Turner

Landscape Contractor: Mark Goger

Metal Handrail: FiloTimo

Millwork: Nick Day

Photography: Ryan Fung

Completion: 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada Area: 3000 sf

The Banana Loft is a 2 storey 3000sf brick warehouse building which was constructed in Toronto's East end in the 1940s. Built by two brothers for their banana import business, it spanned the backyards of their adjacent homes. Our clients purchased this building in a state of disrepair with the intention to convert it to their principle residence.

Our design approach was to embrace the building’s industrial past and to combine many of the original restored elements with modern touches. Drywall clad beams and columns were stripped to reveal industrial steel members throughout the space and the original steel doors to the walk-in fridge were sent off site to a car repair shop for refinishing.

On the ground floor, an open and bright living space was created by installing full height glass windows to take advantage of the morning sunlight from the east courtyard. A portion of the existing concrete floor was removed to create a sunken living room with 14-foot ceilings and a new fireplace and feature display wall. A new kitchen, pantry, bathroom and 2 private home offices were added to this floor.

The East courtyard façade features two new metal canopies which serve to define the entryway and the newly landscaped courtyard space.

Contractor: Webb and Lashbrook

Interior Design: Studio Konior

Photography: Ryan Fung

Completion: 2023 Location: Toronto, Canada Area: 2800 sf Contractor: Lighthaus Built Photography: Kim Jeffery

The owners of this 100 year old Edwardian Toronto home needed extra space for their growing family.

The existing attic was too low for usable space and there was no access to it. Studio Z designed a “kids retreat” by stripping away the existing roof and building a new taller one complete with 10 foot high cathedral ceilings. The new third floor includes 2 large bright and airy bedrooms with custom closets, an ensuite bathroom and an open playroom with adjacent reading nook.

Additional renovations were undertaken to the kitchen, laundry room, main entry hall and second floor ensuite bathroom.

Completion: 2023 Location: Toronto, Canada Area: 3000 sf Contractor: Webb and Lashbrook Photography: Ryan Fung

Completion: 2016 Location: Toronto, Canada Renovated Area: 500 sf Contractor: RA Construction Photography: Scott Northsworthy

The focal point of this kitchen addition is a 12' long custom built reclaimed wood island that was conceived both as a worksurface and as a dining table for large gatherings.

A custom metal sash window wall takes advantage of the southern exposure and the additional ceiling height bathes the space in natural light.

The refined modern design combines thoughtful touches of vintage character with practical everyday elements that reflect the owner's lifestyle.

Completion: 2020 Location: Toronto, Canada Renovated Area: 500 sf Contractor: Oriel Renovations Photography: Ryan Fung Photography

The owners of this beautiful Victorian Home desired to create an adult retreat in the existing attic space. The dropped ceiling was removed to reveal extra height and the tired 80s bathroom was completely reconfigured into a luxurious ensuite.

Completion: 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada Area: 750 sf Contractor: Webb and Lashbrook

This historic home in Summerhill, owned by design professionals, called for a new kitchen, outdoor space and main bathroom.

The outdated kitchen functioned poorly, lacked views to the backyard and captured very little of the natural light. The owners desired as much light as possible as well as a landscaped deck with seating to enjoy their privacy. The solution was custom designed windows featuring an oversized pivot door in mahogany, providing views to the inviting backyard retreat.

A modern kitchen was designed with clean lines, including access to the basement which is concealed in the millwork.

Completion: 2018 Location: Toronto, Canada Area: 1800 sf Contractor: Webb and Lashbrook Photography: Ryan Fung

This modern home renovation was designed for a growing family in the High Park area. The old floorplan was a series of closed rooms on the ground floor and felt dark and cramped. The new space is open and bright and functions well for busy daily family life as well as for entertaining. The front living room was kept separate as a retreat to read or watch tv. The project has a neutral color scheme with pops of color throughout.

Completion: 2013 Location: Toronto Area: 3000 sf Photography: Ryan Fung

Located in Toronto's Roncesvalles area, this large 125 year old semi-detached house was once divided into several apartments. The home was returned to a single family residence claiming enhanced functional and bespoke features including built-in cabinets throughout. The formerly dark and partitioned home is now bathed in natural light and boasts a welcoming and open ground floor living space.

Designed for a couple who love to cook and entertain, the kitchen was relocated to the center of the home to become a focal point for both daily living as well as special gatherings. This captivating space was achieved by delicately blending a modern aesthetic with the original Victorian character.

Completion: 2016 Location: Toronto, Canada Area: 1500 sf Contractor: Salerno Construction Photography: Ryan Fung

This 100-year-old High Park residence required a complete ground floor overhaul to fulfill the owner's desire for a bright, modern and functional home. Prior to the renovation the house was dark and cold, with a cramped and dysfunctional kitchen and an unused addition at the rear.

Studio Z created a luminous and functional space and increased energy efficiency by using high performance windows and doors and insulating all exterior walls. The architect's vision of achieving a clear line of sight from the front entrance through to the rear glass-enveloped dining area created a fresh and welcoming atmosphere for the family of four.

MR NATHAN LOVED TO PLAY SOCCER

Studio Z designed and oversaw the construction and installation of a memorial to commemorate the life of a very special teacher at Garden Ave Public School. The following is a speech which Zuzanna addressed students, parents and teachers at the memorial in June 2014.

"I think I speak for everyone; children, teachers and parents, that being greeted by the sight of Mr Nathan playing soccer every morning here in the sideyard with the children, was such a wonderful way to start the day. There was always a smile on his face, it was infectious.I would often hear him say to the children "Play On" "Play On".

In the early days after Mr. Nathan's passing a friend and mother sent me photos she had taken of him and there was one of him playing soccer with the kids in the sideyard. An idea began to form, a way for us to be greeted by him every morning in this space, his favourite space. I made a series of designs with his figure and the words Play On and sent it to the principal as an idea. I didn't really expect it to go anywhere, I guess spending time designing this, tracing photographs and thinking of colors and shapes and how to mount it on the fence was my way of dealing with the grief. But days later I got a message from her saying "I love it, We've got to do this!" I am so thrilled that this was able to happen and I want to thank Mrs Peterson and the teachers at Garden who supported this. I also want to thank Mike Verity for so kindly helping with the installation.

The two words "Play On" are also significant because I know that Mr Nathan would want all the children he was so very fond of to keep playing here together, to learn, to grow, to remember him and to Play On."

The link for the Globe And Mail Article about Nathan Noel and his life can be found HERE.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/remembering-the-short-life-of-a-kindergarten-teacher/article19049694/