This family house in Toronto is organized around an indoor garden that "grows out" from the basement and climbs through the void of the building. Designed by Alva Roy Architects, the Garden Void House reconciles several opposite requirements and creates a cozy, sustainable living environment offering a variety of spaces and views.
The house, designed as an infill residential project, occupies a corner lot in Toronto’s North York neighborhood. It seems to grow upwards with the development of the indoor garden that starts at the basement level. Strategically placed narrow windows protect the residents from outside views, while harvesting natural light throughout the day. By placing spaces that require a high level of privacy on the street level, and defining the courtyard on the lower level, the architects created a structure that protects its inhabitants from the city noise.
Related: Gorgeous Green House is Wrapped in a Lush Vertical Garden in Belgium
The house boosts several passive sustainable features. The architects ensured that the interior gets enough natural light, while retaining a sense of privacy. Any excessive heat is avoided by offsetting the large skylight on the top floor with a combination of openings that facilitate natural ventilation.
Via v2com
Photos by Tom Arban and Navid Aali