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Mars House, Toronto, Ontario, Canada by Studio Lau

Project name:
Mars House
Architecture firm:
Studio Lau
Location:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Photography:
Nanne Springer
Principal architect:
Winda Lau
Design team:
Studio Lau
Collaborators:
DSBG (Builder)
Interior design:
Studio Lau
Built area:
345 m²
Site area:
455 m²
Design year:
2021
Completion year:
2024
Civil engineer:
Structural engineer:
M.A. Navkar & Associates
Environmental & MEP:
Landscape:
Lighting:
Dark Tools
Supervision:
Visualization:
Tools used:
Construction:
Wood Frame
Material:
Exterior cladding - steel
Budget:
Undisclosed
Client:
Private
Status:
Built
Typology:
Residential › House

Studio Lau: Mars House is a project that was sparked by the shifting demands brought on by the pandemic. It was meticulously designed to cater to a small family's evolving needs, while offering a tranquil retreat from the bustle of urban life.

At the exterior, Mars house is composed of a series of interlocking volumes, with the upper storeys set back to provide a gentle transition from street level. Clad in rhythmically patterned black metal, the façade is accentuated by warm wood siding and porcelain slabs. 

The unique split level layout (driven by the requirement for a basketball court with 18 foot ceilings) is a series of dynamic yet cohesive spaces, each designated for a specific daily function. The formal living and dining rooms were deliberately eliminated, allowing for optimal efficiency in planning, and creating a home in which every space is fully utilized on a daily basis.

Natural light filters throughout Mars House via strategically placed large windows and skylights. Expansive glazing and large oversized sliding doors extend the kitchen and dining areas onto a spacious deck, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor living. The interior spaces combine clean modern lines with natural tones and warm wood accents, blending contemporary aesthetics with an inviting warmth.

About

Studio Lau is dedicated to contemporary and beautiful but always functional design. We passionately believe that every space should be a reflection of the lives and lifestyles of those who inhabit it, and collaborate closely with our clients throughout the process to achieve this. For us, every project is a unique opportunity to explore innovative new ideas and craft elegant, contextual solutions.


By Alfredo Gonzalez

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