ADDING SPACE WITHOUT ADDING ON
Compared to modern standards, old Toronto houses are modestly sized, to say the least. The typical two-floor house provides about 1,200 sf of living space. Compare that to the 2,000+ norm of suburbia! People do manage to make their lives work in these humble urban abodes, though, mainly because they were laid out so efficiently by their original designers: Almost all provide for the basics: three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, living, and dining. Even with these necessities met, a family may find itself in want of more space. Additions, however, can be expensive and complicated. Often zoning will not allow for them, and you may need to go through a public approvals process at the Committee of Adjustment. Thankfully, these old Toronto houses often have underutilized spaces that can be transformed to help meet your needs. For many people, this is the easiest and most economical way to add more room to their home.
Rowhouses in Roncesvalles.
BASEMENTS
The most obvious way for most to add floor area is by finishing the basement. Back when these houses were originally built, this floor was purely utilitarian. Its primary function was to house the noisy and dirty mechanical workings of the home. The space was left unfinished, uninsulated, and with little concern for the occasional flood. Today, however, people are eager to make the most of this neglected space.
For those lucky enough to have decent ceiling heights (6’-5” and taller), renovation can be relatively straightforward. But to do it right, you must commit to a serious overhaul, including: waterproofing, a sump pump, a new concrete slab, a new stair, insulation, and finishes. This can be an expensive endeavor, but usually much less than adding the equivalent floor area with an addition. If your basement needs include underpinning, costs can go up quickly, but it may be worth it to gain this extra space.
Our Roncy Basement Reno project turned an unused basement into a rental apartment. We were careful to eliminate any HVAC bulkheads from dropping into the space, which often is a marker of basement spaces.
ATTICS
Torontonians became experts at making houses look bigger than they actually were. The key is a steeply pitched, gabled roof—not over the entire house, but just enough to give a nice, tall gable at the front façade. Sometimes this included a third floor, but more often than not, behind that steep gable lays a vast empty attic. It can be an amazing experience to see the ceiling of a second floor Toronto house removed to reveal the cavernous space above.
Given the steep roof angles, turning this space into actual floor area is not usually practical without adding dormers or more structure. However, minor interior modifications can usually provide for a storage space accessible by ladder, as well as new cathedral ceilings to add volume to your second floor rooms.
Our Ritchie Rowhouse project takes advantage of a partial cathedral ceiling; the area above the flat ceiling contains an attic space in the remaining pitched roof that the homeowners use as storage.
In one of our upcoming projects, we are exposing the cathedral ceiling over the master bedroom and bathroom, but creating a loft over the walk-in closet. This allows for soaring ceilings in the main spaces, while still allowing for much-needed storage space.
BACKYARDS
Back yards can provide a multitude of ways to add to your existing house. The typical Toronto lot is usually around 100’. For most people this leaves a fairly deep, if narrow, back yard. Originally these spaces were treated much like basements—purely utilitarian. Before indoor plumbing, this is where the outhouse was. And before the wonder of mechanical dryers, hanging your clothes out in the sun was the norm.
Times have changed and now the space is prime real estate. Decks and patios can instantly add additional outdoor living space to your home. If you need something more all-year, consider adding an outbuilding, like a shed or garage. Depending on your zoning, these spaces can house some useful functions: gym, playroom, or even a secondary suite.
Outdoor living space in our Ritchie Rowhouse project.
Progress shot of the Modern Victorian backyard, showing a spacious deck leading out to a concealed parking spot and garden sheds.
SQUEEZING MORE OUT OF YOUR FLOOR PLAN
Finally, working with an architect may help you find how to rework your layout more efficiently within the existing floor plate. Often there are opportunities to push and pull on existing rooms to create a new bathroom, study, or closet space. Maximizing the most from what you already have can go a long way before an addition is necessary.
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Written by Brian Hagood, OAA
