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The demolition of the existing garage was finished in October 2020 and soon after construction began. First up: helical piles and foundations. Site conditions favoured the use of a non-conventional foundation system with steel helical piles (aka screw piles) supporting a reinforced concrete grade beam around the perimeter. This system avoided the need for the typical 4’ deep excavation and the potential problems with undermining the neighbouring garage.
The exterior on the laneway side is clad with a mix of horizontal wood siding and vertical metal panels.
IN THE GARDEN
Similar to the laneway facade, the garden facade has a contrast of warm wood cladding and cool metal tones. In January, all exterior walls were continuously sealed with Delta-Vent, a high performance vapour permeable air barrier and back-up drainage layer. The canopy element that provides shelter for the entrance was wrapped in a Blueskin membrane and the exterior insulation on the foundation is protected with water durable and mould resistant cement board.
We here at The Architect Builders Collaborative are very excited to see one of our first crop of Laneway Houses nearing completion in the heart of East York. Construction started in October and is slated to wrap up at the end of this month. As the Builder and their crew head for the home stretch, we’d like to take you for a virtual tour. You’ll see both the finished building, a rendered design and a mid construction snap shot.
THE GREAT ROOM
Rendering of the Great Room
The spacious open concept design makes the most of the views and light coming from both sides – so unlike a condo! The kitchen overlooks the backyard patio & gardens that are shared with the tenants of the main house. The end of the Great Room that is oriented towards the laneway provides a relaxing place to chill and still be connected to the action in the kitchen. The high millwork from the dining room continues at a lower level, providing bench seating for additional guests. The construction photo from January 2021 shows the finished interior walls and the Inline Fibreglass window overlooking the laneway.
The continuous millwork element and the spacious kitchen provide plenty of functional storage while keeping the room clean and uncluttered. The polished concrete floor unifies the space and provides a stark contrast to the white oak finish that is used throughout the design.
Embedded in the polished concrete is a radiant panel heating system that together with an ultra-efficient heat pump AC will ensure the occupants are always comfortable. The in-floor radiant heating can be seen in this photo from mid December 2020.
Rendering of the Living Area
The end of the Great Room that is oriented towards the laneway provides a relaxing place to chill and still be connected to the action in the kitchen. The high millwork from the dining room continues at a lower level, providing bench seating for additional guests. The construction photo from January 2021 shows the finished interior walls and the Inline Fibreglass window overlooking the laneway.
THE SPINE OF THE HOUSE
Rendering of the Staircase
Stairs are the spine of any multi-storey house. Often overlooked and taken for granted (until you get a back ache), a stir can be so much more than simply a means to get from one floor to the next. We treat stairs as an opportunity for a moment of beauty, a vehicle for bringing light deep into the house, and a place to enjoy.
The construction photo shows a temporary construction staircase that is typically built to ensure the safety of construction workers without damaging the final structure. However, the final open tread staircase will be supported by two steel beams. The oak on the ceiling perfectly blends into the wood tones of the staircase. Above the staircase is a skylight that brings daylight all the way down into the great room.
WET ROOM BATH
Rendering of the Wet Room
The main bathroom features a wet room area shared with an open shower and deep soaker tub. The glass panels keep the water where it belongs but allow the natural daylight from the skylight above to flood the room.
The floor tiling changes in size when exiting the wet room, while the wall tiling continues at half height. The construction photos show the tile selection process on site in January and the work-in-progress March 2021.
DREAMTIME
Rendering of one of the Bedrooms
This 1,600 sq.ft. 3-bedroom house is ideal for sharing with roommates. As such, all 3 bedrooms are similarly spacious with plenty of closet and desk space. The construction photo from March 2021 shows the finished installation of the Inline Fibreglass casement window, which is a great energy conscious choice.
When designed and constructed carefully a laneway suite can be built in no time – so if you are planning to add a beautiful addition to your property contact us for more information and we’d be happy to help you achieve that dream!
To learn more about Laneway Housing, head to our Garden + Laneway Suites Page