+tongtong Transforms Traditional Toronto House into Tasteful Modern Home that Honors East-end Neighborhood. Multidisciplinary design studio +tongtong recently completed a renovation and addition to a traditional Victorian house in Toronto. The house was transformed into an open and bright modern home through a series of strategic moves and incisions. Photographer: Lisa Petrole

The specifications were to build a modern family home that expands the area of livable space while remaining true to the vernacular of the neighborhood. This challenge was met with an emphasis on natural materials and light. Inspired by rural living and the original build date of the home, industrial materials accentuate re-imagined architectural qualities in an unmistakable contemporary space. Grey and black zinc used throughout both the exterior and interior of the home is a material that blends traditional aspects with the new contemporary scheme. Inside, a vertical shaft brings light from large skylights down 3 floors illuminating the ground floor while animating a zinc wall and ceiling above the kitchen.
As for +tongtong principal John Tong?s favourite element of the house, ?I really embrace the slot between the two floors. It turns the 2nd floor hallway into a bridge that connects all of the floors. This is key to bringing light down to the first floor.?

On the 3rd floor, the entire gable has been replaced with an expansive triangular glass window affo...