Izen Architecture and DS Interiors have completed House 117 in Toronto.
In this project, a double-length grey brick facade rotates to a vertical orientation at the base to shift texture and emphasize the elevated floor plan. The deep-set windows with precise metal detailing reinforce the deliberate simplicity of the architectural sensibilities, and a sculptural black metal guard on the central stair reappears in exterior detailing to establish material continuity. A pop-out at the stairs allows light to wash across the landings from the side.
The bathroom area of House 117 is noteworthy. For example, a skylight woven directly into the primary bath shower turns a daily ritual into a moment of quiet theatricality. The powder room — with cove lighting, smoked mirror, plastered concrete-like walls, and a floating natural stone vanity — also draws attention.
Image Credit: Younes Bounhar / DoubleSpace
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Material Continuity Between Exterior and Interior
- Blurring facade and interior finishes creates potential for modular systems that standardize material transitions and reduce installation complexity.
- Integrated Natural Light Ritualization
- Deliberate skylights and side-popouts recast daily routines as curated spatial moments, opening room for products that combine daylight management with experiential design.
- Sculptural Metal Detailing as Signature Language
- Prominent metal guardrails and precision metal window trims suggest opportunities for customizable metalwork platforms that bridge structural function and branded aesthetics.
Where This Applies
- Residential Architecture
- High-end home projects emphasizing texture shifts and elevated plans could drive new practice models that integrate prefab envelope components with bespoke interior finishes.
- Bathroom Fixtures and Surfaces
- Bathrooms featuring woven skylights, plaster-like walls, and floating stone vanities point to demand for integrated fixture-surface systems that prioritize sensory luxury in compact footprints.
- Window and Skylight Manufacturing
- Deep-set precision windows and bespoke skylight integrations indicate room for engineered glazing solutions that combine light performance with streamlined installation in complex wall assemblies.
