Twelve Tacoma by Aleph-Bau is your typical row house with a secret only seen from above

2017-05-24T15:13:00-04:00

In Toronto's central Summerhill neighborhood sits a steady line-up of typical 19th century workers' row houses. Nestled among them, between the colored brick facades and conventional front porches, is Twelve Tacoma, designed by the Toronto-based Aleph-Bau. Drawing on the surrounding vernacular, the design mimics the ordinary signifiers typical of the neighboring homes but with a contemporary bent, notably in its unusual choice in materials. For example, the awning over the door—standard for this block—is updated with plexiglass. The white paint further distinguishes this home as an elegant and crisp addition to the block.

From above, the home begins to depart much more from its surroundings than one would have assumed from the street. An upper level has been added to the row house, cladded in corrugated aluminum—a material once common to industrial spaces that has gained popularity amongst architects over the years due to its affordability, durability, and availability. The extensio...

Archinect - News

Twelve Tacoma by Aleph-Bau is your typical row house with a secret only seen from above