Summerhill Family Home by Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect

Located in Toronto’s Summerhill neighbourhood, this comprehensive renovation by Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect transforms a dark, segmented house into a bright, versatile space for modern living.

The design features a three-storey rear addition, a green-roof garage, a swim spa and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. It embraces light, warmth and functionality. “Every decision was based on new ways to occupy spaces conducive to gathering the generational mix of their extended family,” says the practice’s founder, Barbora Vokac Taylor.

Central to the architect’s vision are ‘perches’ – small, intimate gathering spaces throughout the home that cater to the family’s needs.

The design retains the integrity of the original street-facing facade, carefully recomposed to align with the clients’ modern sensibilities while preserving the proportions and character. The interior layout was reimagined, with only a few load-bearing walls and the stairwell remaining intact. Central to the architect’s vision are ‘perches’ – small, intimate gathering spaces throughout the home that cater to the family’s needs. “As we learned more about the nature of their family and their personalities, we were able to propose design elements that would make the home uniquely theirs,” adds Vokac Taylor.

A key transformation is the repositioning of the dining area to the front of the home, aligning it with the street-facing elevation to foster a stronger connection with the neighbourhood. A custom walnut banquette, framed by Douglas fir window details and white oak flooring, adds warmth, while the preserved, wood-burning fireplace anchors the room. Contemporary furnishings and pendant lighting complete the room, creating a refined yet relaxed atmosphere.

A pergola with motorised screens, a fire pit and a swim spa work together to create flexible zones for both relaxation and entertainment.

The kitchen connects the dining and living areas, with custom millwork that not only enhances visual continuity but also provides ample storage. Thoughtful spatial adjacencies allow for overlapping activities while still maintaining distinct zones. The matte stone island serves as a gathering space, encouraging interaction, while the lighting adds to the room’s serene feel.

A lift-and-slide door opens the rear living room to the outdoor patio, effectively doubling the entertaining space. A pergola with motorised screens, a fire pit and a swim spa work together to create flexible zones for both relaxation and entertainment. “The vision was to design the spaces to spill out and over into one another and to use layered elements to define the spaces without completely disconnecting them,” explains Vokac Taylor.

The design retains the integrity of the original street-facing facade, carefully recomposed to align with the clients’ modern sensibilities while preserving the proportions and character.

Upstairs, the home continues to prioritise light, privacy and connection. A sculpted white oak staircase connects all levels, culminating in a skylight that bathes the space in natural light. The children’s playroom overlooks the double-height living room, offering privacy while maintaining a sense of openness. On the third floor, the primary suite, with its pitched roof and abundant sunlight, serves as a private sanctuary, complete with a terrace that overlooks the lush garden below.

Sustainability also guided the renovation. The original double-wythe brick facade was preserved for its thermal performance, while the new garage features a green roof for urban cooling. Steel cladding and sustainably sourced timber ensure durability and blend with the environment, further reinforcing the commitment to minimising the home’s environmental footprint.

This comprehensive renovation by Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect transforms a dark, segmented house into a bright, versatile space for modern living.

“This project embodies our practice’s philosophy and approach: a thoughtful reading of the site and structure, and a purposeful strategy and approach that is further refined and shaped through a collaborative design process with the client,” says Vokac Taylor. The resulting home is one that evolves gracefully over time, meeting the family’s needs while maintaining aesthetic charm.

Architecture by Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect. Build by Derek Nicholson. Landscape design by Saraga Taylor Landscape Architects. Art advisory by Pearl Rowe Art Advisory.