Hinge House is defined by a 65′ long opaque library wall that serves as a sectional “hinge” by which the public and private programmatic elements of the house are connected. The library wall and primary circulation route into the house follow the slope of the landscape descending towards the ravine. The resulting scissor-like section presents a compact front facade that trifurcates into distinct volumes and windows on the back-side of the house facing the ravine.
The dining room and kitchen are located on the lowest levels while the living room is perched on top. In between these volumes are the interstitial areas constituting the library, study, studio, guest bedrooms and master bedroom. A conversation nook sits below the atrium surrounded by centrifugal stairs with a skylight above.
The house is located on a prominent corner site overlooking a ravine in downtown Toronto. Given the predominance of vehicular traffic and incumbent noise of the site, the house presents a protective, introverted face to the street and an open, extroverted face to the ravine.
