Innovative Front to Back Infill House Creates Two Separate Homes On a Small Lot

This teensy tiny suburban lot near <a href="http://www.ottawa.ca/" target="_blank">Ottawa, Canada</a> recently became the site of two totally separate homes thanks to the Front to Back Infill house. Designed by <a href="http://colizzabruni.com/" target="_blank">Colizza Bruni Architecture</a>, the houses ditched the traditional side to side residence configuration, opting instead to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/torontos-shaft-house-maximizes-space-daylight-on-a-snug-20-ft-wide-lot/" target="_blank">fill in</a> the lot with one home in the front and one in the back.

The residents of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tiny-london-lot-transformed-into-amazing-green-residence/" target="_blank">infill homes</a> split the 25 ft by 80 ft land cost, keeping their tight budget low and construction affordable. The two affordable homes join a sustainable residence centered around an urban area.

The rear unit is extremely private, facing and interacting with the back yard, while the front home interacts with the street and adjacent neighbors. The architects chose simple, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/fantastic-danish-read-nest-is-a-tiny-wooden-cube-perfect-for-booklovers/" target="_blank">sustainable plywood</a> and metal to clad the exterior, reflecting the industrial feel of the neighborhood.

The rear unit rises in a three-storey box form, with an open kitchen and dining area. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/timber-treehouse-addition-adds-almost-200-sq-ft-of-living-space-to-moscow-flat/" target="_blank">second floor living room looks down upon the kitchen</a>, which is the central focus of the family home. Large floor through windows flood the interiors with light, and face the lush backyard. The rear home is private and quiet, focusing on family meals, and gathering around a simple fireplace in the mezzanine.

Facing the street, the front unit perches off of the box of the rear home. The main living area is elevated on two columns, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/eindhoven-garage-transformed-into-light-filled-home-office-with-a-perforated-metal-skin/" target="_blank">housing a car park</a> and foyer area below.

The living area opens into a large street-facing boxed <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-box-office-recycles-32-shipping-containers-into-12-colorful-offices-in-providence/" target="_blank">cantilevered terrace</a>, which is includes a gorgeous wooden privacy screen that meets an open glass corner. The interior is kept light with skylighting, a glazed glass curtain on the front of the home and glass walls throughout.

Colizza Bruni’s innovative <a href="http://inhabitat.com/glen-park-residence-maximizes-space-in-sf-urban-infill/" target="_blank">Front to back infill </a>sustainably solves a housing problem, saving both clients money, while creating beautiful modern homes for two families.