Bedford Park House

Eco-home blends deep sustainable design with modern style to fit effortlessly within its landscape.

One would never guess that this two-storey house, with its brick exterior, wood detailing, and visual alignment with its neighbouring houses, was designed with state-of-the art sustainable systems and carefully considered materials to optimize energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing.

We began by establishing strong transitions from outside to inside, with windows framing the mature trees in the front and rear gardens, and green roofs surrounding the principal bedroom creating the impression of sleeping in a meadow. We designed each space with simple, modern features for relaxed and sociable family life, and selected interior finishes specifically for their elegance, non-toxic qualities, and durability. 

Beneath the surface, we fine-tuned every aspect of the house for high performance. The shape of the structure minimizes surface area and thermal bridges, the house features a geothermal heating and a convective cooling system, and air exchangers regulate the climate in each room, responding to changes in exterior temperature and sunlight conditions. The longevity of our design is also supported by ageing in place measures including the infrastructure for a future elevator shaft, and an adaptable basement apartment with a separate entrance.

Describing a modern design as marrying “form and function” is an old saw these days, but in the case of a house in Toronto’s Bedford Park neighborhood, it couldn’t be more true.

– Diana Budds, Dwell