Bloomberg Residence

Project Details

Project Description

The two storey home is organized and conceptualized as two intersecting L-shaped volumes, creating an entry forecourt and a larger rear court. This approach maximizes light and enables a continuous connection between interior and exterior spaces as you move through the house. Though it is a large home—built to the edges of the lot lines— the open space created by the front courtyard pushes the façade back, thereby diminishing its visual presence on the street. Vertical fins of Algonquin, crust-faced limestone ground the heavy massing of the second floor, thus emphasizing the intrinsic quality of the stone and reinforcing the raw, sculptural quality of the front façade. Conversely, the back façade of the house is defined by large expanses of glass, expressing the rear courtyard and gardens as an extension of the home. This space within a space is defined by horizontal brass beams and fitted with lights. Each court includes a reflecting pond to further define the spaces and soften the stone and metal elements. Internally, a feature stair of honed beauval limestone, together with a grand living room area that opens directly to the rear courtyard is the active, public centre of the house. The extremities of the L-shaped configuration become the private realm for the occupants: the front of the house contains the owner’s office on the ground floor and guest bedrooms above, while the back of the house contains a private master suite. The interior architecture is a continuation of the exterior language of the home. Beauval limestone, complementing the honed limestone façade, is used on the floors along with smoked and brushed European oak. Calacatta marble in the master suite bathroom adds to the sculpted look, while ebony and bronze accents add to its earthiness. Horizontal reveals along the length of the walls above the floor; vertical lines that flow to horizontal lines from floor, to stairs, to wall; the solid stone sculpted handrail of the feature stair; the full-height, smoked oak doors; are all created to have a seamless appearance within the interior that wraps and extents to the façade. Sustainability is integrated into the design of the house. Orientation, massing, and glazing are carefully considered to maximize direct and indirect daylight. High performance glass throughout allows the large open spaces of the home to be comfortable year-round. Beneath the home, twenty one geothermal pipes provide ground source heating and cooling for the home. Craftsmanship and attention to detail give the home a quiet elegance and continues the carved expression of the home.