Crawford Street.
Full Renovation, Basement Suite, Rear Addition, and Third-floor Top-up
This full renovation and addition on Crawford Street expanded an existing two-storey brick home in nearly all directions: down (with a lowered basement), back (with a rear addition), and up (with a full third floor).
Despite the increased overall size, the context-appropriate update to this home weaves into the fabric of the streetscape. New windows, added insulation, and durable exterior materials are some of Sustainable's trademark home renovation strategies. Sun tunnels, a new basement walk-out, and a custom staircase are some of the special features that make this project unique.
Details
Location: Toronto, ON
Completion: 2015
Area: 354 m², 3,810 ft²
Project Lead: Nicholas Discenza
Structural: Mott MacDonald
Mechanical: Alpha Comfort Control
Contractor: Craig Schreiber, Arundel Contracting
“This was our second architectural job where we employed Sustainable.to and worked with Nicholas Discenza as our primary designer, but overseen by the principal, Paul Dowsett. I think the best endorsement, is repeat business!
Nicholas is a good listener, and provides us with everything on our “want” list. He suggested many creative designs that suited our individual needs and so much more. We now have a brand new house with “street appeal” and functioning interior. Nicholas is the best and he remains professional even when things get tense and yes with construction, there are stresses.
There is great talent at Sustainabl.to and Paul Dowsett is always in the background when problems arise and he always had resourceful workable solutions as complications arose that needed a solution.
This architectural firm looks to the future in their design for sustainability. In areas such as energy consumption, environmentally friendly insulation and materials, good cross ventilation to keep the house cool without the use of Air Conditioning, a 50 year steel roof and proper water drainage. They also worked with us to design a house that we can live in, well into our senior years, with only minor modifications to accommodates.
The esthetically pleasing colours and combinations were the suggestions of Nicholas who also worked closely with my own artistic training in Ikebana. Sustainable.to also recommended some wonderful suppliers and trades: KWeld (Burlington) for our custom stairs; New Steel Roofers; Hardie Board Siding and so much more. I did do my due diligence with suppliers and trades, even when recommended by Sustainable.to, to ensure compatibility. Our main contractor was Arundel Contracting of Georgetown, with Craig at the head, we were in skilled hands and an unflappable personality.
We kept the Toronto Victorian exterior but the interior is very contemporary. We want to thank Nicholas Dicenza, Paul, Donald and all at Sustainable.to who helped us achieve a fully functioning and aesthetically pleasing house. Also for the support in getting us past those bumps and grinds of construction issues. We are thrilled with the result! Thanks to all at Sustainable and especially to Nicholas Dicenza.
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