This renovation represents the first phase in a long-term master plan. It included underpinning the basement and a rear, first floor addition. The basement stairs were moved to the back of the home for easy access to the basement mudroom (complete with bike shower!)

A split roof at the back of the house introduces southern light to a narrow East-West lot. The rear wall of the addition has lots of glass to bring light into the home and provide great flow between inside and out.

The British inspired kitchen was a collaboration with interior design firm, DesignStrom and adds to the aesthetic and functionality of this family home. The client wanted open concept to a point – the front area, which can be used as a small sitting room or office, can be closed off from the rest of the home by a discreet pocket door, and introduces a more traditional element.

This house is a mixture of modern and traditional, it has an abundance of light and space, whilst maintaining features like the front office, bay window and herringbone flooring.

Green Features

• Well insulated envelope in the basement and ground floor
• Increase in light from large windows

Our clients had been living in their 1980 era Beach home for many years when they finally decided it was time to make some improvements.  Their main goals were more space and improved curb appeal.  Our analysis showed there was enough space, it just needed to be laid out better.  Reworking the rambling 1980s stair, incorporating the garage into the basement for a rec room and a new dormer on the 3^rd floor gave the house the space the family of 5 was looking for.  Removing the reverse slope driveway, recladding the house and new landscaping updated the exterior.  The decision to forgo an addition meant there was room for a large pool in the backyard!  The result – a perfect Beach home for this active family. 

Note: This house and it’s neighbour to the south were a matching pair pre reno.  Quite the transformation!

Sited on 23 acres of rolling Oak Ridges Moraine, MOSS SUND was tasked by the client with incorporating both an existing 1960’s summer house and a stone foundation remnant from a barn fire into the design for a new house for their young, active family.

The materials – a timber frame structure, poured concrete floors, high levels of insulation and roof membrane protected by green roofs – are all chosen for durability.  

The new systems of the house are based on very old principles of using the sun and wind’s effects on the materials of the building to provide heating and cooling.  Standard passive solar design principles are used with glazing and large overhangs on the south side and concrete floors as a heat sink on the interior.  The unique feature of this house is the ‘sun hall’ where the stone foundation wall divides the circulation space from the service areas and acts as a trombe wall collecting heat from the winter sun.

Large windows provide views of the rolling moraine from every room in the house.

Green Features:

• High level insulation
• Passive solar design
• Trombe wall

Referred by their real estate agent, a young couple came to us with the idea of a unique modern, sustainable home.   Additions and renovations were proposed to transform the existing bungalow into a great family home.  Thinking to the future, a full washroom and office – which can later be converted into a bedroom – were included on the ground floor in case they, or their parents need an accessible space.  Finally, a basement apartment for added income was also included in the design.

Green Features:

• South facing courtyard for passive solar gain, daylight and views
• High levels of insulation
• Cool Roof
• Green Roof
• Rain garden
• Solar and grey water ready

A former small Beach bungalow, this property underwent a complete interior renovation and second storey addition, transforming it into a modern, environmentally friendly family home.  One of the biggest challenges was how to maximize the natural light in the east-facing house while preserving an enormous oak tree situated precariously close to the rear of the home. Our design solution was to cut a slot through the centre of the house and to insert an extended lightwell staircase. The height of the staircase, combined with multiple skylights, afford tremendous natural light, beautiful treeline views, and the use of stack effect cooling. In addition, slate tiles along the wall of the stairwell provide passive solar heating as well as a dramatic visual accent. The selection of materials reflected a commitment to locally sourced and recycled finishes. The result is a modern, green home that still respects and blends with the character of the local neighbourhood.  

Green Features:

• Energy efficient envelope
• Central lightwell and heatsink for passive solar heating and daylighting
• Geothermal heating and cooling
• Water efficient fixtures
• Resource efficiency
• Green roof
• Local, reclaimed and recycled materials

This renovation of a split-level one bedroom coach house was designed to modernize and update the open-concept structure with a view to maximizing the flow and functionality of the existing living space. 

A complete renovation and second-storey addition transformed this small East York bungalow into a modern and more spacious family home with abundant natural light and greater energy efficiency. Environmental sustainability was a key priority for the homeowner. The renovated structure incorporates passive solar design, stack effect cooling, cool roof technology, high levels of insulation, great daylighting in all spaces, a green roof, rain garden, rain harvesting, and local, reclaimed and recycled materials. While the renovation nearly tripled the size of the original home, the homeowner’s heating bill was cut in half. The new design also maximizes the functionality of every square foot of the house; even the dead space above the principal staircase was utilized to create a secret playroom that is accessed from a ‘magical’ door in the children’s bedroom closet.