Galleria Residence

Galleria is located on a challenging, narrow and long lot measuring 33’ wide by 125’ long. It proudly sits adjacent to several smaller homes that are subject to the ongoing gentrification taking shape in the city.

As such we made use of every square inch of floor space in this 3000SF architectural splendor. The West facing home enjoys daylight splashing through its front door all the way to the rear yard in uninterrupted and unapologetic fashion. We achieved this by finding the right balance between the governing 8m building height limitations and raising the ground floor level up higher, while sloping the garage lower to the maximum allowable driveway slope. Furthermore, skylights are sprinkled all around the house within the open concept, and there you have it, a sanctuary basking in light all day long.

Art-Play and Drama are involved when an onlooker observes Galleria at a distance for the first time, and furthermore upon entry. A large White defining balcony sets the stage flanked by a rich cedar backdrop. An industrial looking silver metal volume at the top right aptly serves as a home office while the remaining upper portion of the home is clad in black steel siding, silently allowing the 2 former elements to shine.

The grey masonry base that props the home up proudly, mirrors the angles of the silver steel volume above and replicates the thin, irregular, and linear pattern installation. The office and private living quarters at the rear, face each other at the 2nd floor, are separated with a distinct visual break by way of a balcony, and single-story roof over the greenhouse.

The entire south elevation is generously expressed with fire rated glass windows along the easement it faces, animating the passerby’s experience along the walkway to the condo development further down.

Galleria is named so, because it’s a showpiece home which showcases art within it. Curating to the masses, each of its built-in architectural features within, are sculptures themselves, starting from the custom fireplace, to the live green wall trellises, serving as the gateway to the greenhouse, followed by the floating island, which emulate the angles from the exterior volumes, and finally, to the breathtaking 2 part circular staircases at the central core, flanked by art around the perimeter walls as you journey up each floor of the house.

Form and Function can co-exist, and we do so every step of the way here at Galleria. To begin with, the circulation in this house is not only critical it was a feature. The slightly sunken garage driveway, which is heated for low maintenance in the winter months leads you into the basement. Upon arrival, this mature couple have the option to choose the scenic artistic journey up the extraordinary circular staircase, or if a speedier ascent is required or they are weighed down by heavier items, they can opt to take the elevator.

The botanically inclined client wished to enjoy a greenhouse space which divides the kitchen from the dining room, and serves as a reading and coffee nook, also embellished adorned/outfit with a duo of skylights.

Galleria is luxuriously built to the energy efficiency standards of R-2000. Superb insulation and airtightness techniques throughout the building envelope reduce the home’s energy needs significantly over and above the building code requirements. This is conveyed through the home’s Energy Rating System of 90 and airtightness of 1.4 ACH at 50 pascals.

The large, triple glazed, low-e coated windows allow the interior to be filled with natural daylight while significantly reducing heat flow through the glass. With bright interior colors and open-riser staircases, the daylight penetrates deeper into the home (travels further indoors), mitigating the need for electrical lighting. All electrical lighting is LED and every appliance is ENERGY STAR certified. Interior finishes were chosen to have the lowest VOC content to improve the indoor air quality. Recycled and sustainably sourced materials are used for many of the home’s components. Galleria’s HVAC system is separated into three separate zones to maximize its efficiency and a drain water heat recovery system is installed in the showers to make use of waste heat from graywater.

Many design challenges are overcome here, starting with framing Galleria. This laborious endeavor, left the skilled trades weaving through its many intricate steel connections, angled volumes and customized trusses.

This also made running ductwork within this compact floor assembly due to the height limitations a task for the sophisticated installer.

The south elevation is generously expressed with fire rated glass windows, making them far more complex to assemble.

Of the many jewels within, the 2- part circular staircase, built out of wood and not steel and the multi-faceted granite island, took a team of qualified trades to come to life.