DUPONT
Urban Residence & Laneway House
"It's the kind of space that encourages someone who is creative"
The DUPONT PROJECT was about re-purposing and re-vitalizing a century-old inner-city Toronto building to create a single family dwelling with a modern coach house studio.
Like many downtown west-end main street buildings, Dupont was already over 102 years old by 2009 when SOMA Studio designers Andrew Fee and Linda Corbett bought it.
Originally designed as a main-floor storefront with residential space above, it met the needs of commerce and living during the early 1900’s. No renovations had ever been carried out except for some windows, plumbing and wiring done in the 1970’s.
The DUPONT PROJECT was a major renovation which gutted the building to the masonry walls leaving only two of the original brick side walls, part of the front facade and part of the foundation intact.
Andrew Fee's design for Dupont included a two-storey residential main living space with atrium garden and a private larger garden at the rear adjoining a laneway coach house incorporating a two-car garage with studio space above.
Linda Corbett designed original hand-knotted Tibetan Wool and Chinese silk carpets to fit the finished rooms and had them made by her manufacturers in Kathmandu, Nepal.
By 2012 the original derelict, rooming-house building was transformed into a contemporary urban residential home and coach house studio in the vibrant Junction Triangle community.
WINDOW WALL
WINDOW WALL
INTERIOR GARDEN
INTERIOR GARDEN
ATRIUM SIDE GARDEN
ATRIUM SIDE GARDEN
FACADE
FACADE
LANEWAY COACH HOUSE STUDIO & GARAGE
LANEWAY COACH HOUSE STUDIO & GARAGE
"The quality of workmanship was far above what we're accustom to seeing, because they're not just designers, they're craftspeople … so there were a number of features not just beautifully designed but artisanally executed..."
INTERIOR DESIGN
New staircase wraps around the panelled powder room.
New staircase wraps around the panelled powder room.
Spanish Cedar Door with white oak panelling and new staircase
Spanish Cedar Door with white oak panelling and new staircase
Nepalese dyers use Linda Corbett's colour chart to match the dyed nettle threads for her MUDRA carpet design.
Nepalese dyers use Linda Corbett's colour chart to match the dyed nettle threads for her MUDRA carpet design.
Linda Corbett's MUDRA carpet was fabricated in Nepal from fibres of the Nettle plant.
Linda Corbett's MUDRA carpet was fabricated in Nepal from fibres of the Nettle plant.
Nepalese weaver spins the nettle threads for the MUDRA carpet. The fibres were grown, harvested and spun in the countryside outside Kathmandu.
Nepalese weaver spins the nettle threads for the MUDRA carpet. The fibres were grown, harvested and spun in the countryside outside Kathmandu.
White oak panelled powder room with custom Carrara mirror and countertop.
White oak panelled powder room with custom Carrara mirror and countertop.
View from the entryway through the Atrium garden and entrance door.
View from the entryway through the Atrium garden and entrance door.
Panelled library_media room with HERCOLANO carpet.
Panelled library_media room with HERCOLANO carpet.
A final step in the production process is hand-trimming of the Tibetan wool and Chinese silk HERCOLANO carpet. This brings out the subtle pile height variations that form part of the design.
A final step in the production process is hand-trimming of the Tibetan wool and Chinese silk HERCOLANO carpet. This brings out the subtle pile height variations that form part of the design.
Linda Corbett's design for the HERCOLANO carpet was inspired by a Roman mosaic floor at Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli. The carpet was hand-woven from hand-dyed wool and silk in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Linda Corbett's design for the HERCOLANO carpet was inspired by a Roman mosaic floor at Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli. The carpet was hand-woven from hand-dyed wool and silk in Kathmandu, Nepal.
View of the Kitchen, Dining area with Atrium entrance door on the left.
View of the Kitchen, Dining area with Atrium entrance door on the left.
Rift-cut Walnut Kitchen with Carrara marble counters and backsplash, Wolf stove and Sub-Zero fridge.
Rift-cut Walnut Kitchen with Carrara marble counters and backsplash, Wolf stove and Sub-Zero fridge.
View into the Living area, window wall and garden. The Murano glass chandelier is vintage.
View into the Living area, window wall and garden. The Murano glass chandelier is vintage.
Dining room carpet is POMPEO designed by Linda Corbett and woven in Nepal. The use of two pile heights ensures that each individual "stone tile" is raised from the background. Careful hand-trimming and finishing completes the effect.
Dining room carpet is POMPEO designed by Linda Corbett and woven in Nepal. The use of two pile heights ensures that each individual "stone tile" is raised from the background. Careful hand-trimming and finishing completes the effect.
POMPEO on the loom in Kathmandu. Weavers follow the knot-by knot printed pattern design above their working bench.
POMPEO on the loom in Kathmandu. Weavers follow the knot-by knot printed pattern design above their working bench.
Living area with window wall, STUV fireplace and LUNA carpet.
Living area with window wall, STUV fireplace and LUNA carpet.
The open ceiling height of the living area is 19 feet.
The open ceiling height of the living area is 19 feet.
Belgian engineered STUV wood burning fireplace with its custom travertine marble surround.
Belgian engineered STUV wood burning fireplace with its custom travertine marble surround.
Close-up view of Linda Corbett's LUNA carpet and Andrew Fee's GUILIA standing lamp and small side table.
Close-up view of Linda Corbett's LUNA carpet and Andrew Fee's GUILIA standing lamp and small side table.
The LUNA carpet is based on an oil painting by Linda Corbett depicting a phase of the Total Lunar Eclipse on the Winter Solstice_21.12.2010. Tibetan wool and Chinese silk its was hand-knotted in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The LUNA carpet is based on an oil painting by Linda Corbett depicting a phase of the Total Lunar Eclipse on the Winter Solstice_21.12.2010. Tibetan wool and Chinese silk its was hand-knotted in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Weaver working on the LUNA carpet. Weavers working in teams on long benches hand-knot 150 knots per-square-inch to create this carpet.
Weaver working on the LUNA carpet. Weavers working in teams on long benches hand-knot 150 knots per-square-inch to create this carpet.
Principal Bathroom of rift-cut white oak panelling, Italian Corian bathtub and honed Carrara marble floors.
Principal Bathroom of rift-cut white oak panelling, Italian Corian bathtub and honed Carrara marble floors.
Principal bathroom with custom lacquered storage cabinet on the right.
Principal bathroom with custom lacquered storage cabinet on the right.
Double sink vanity with walnut details and mirror. Vintage Murano sconces and "River Gods" photographic works by Linda Corbett, based on Bernini's, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Rome.
Double sink vanity with walnut details and mirror. Vintage Murano sconces and "River Gods" photographic works by Linda Corbett, based on Bernini's, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi in Rome.
Detail of a 19 foot by 10 foot JALI screen design by Andrew Fee in the Primary Bedroom loft.
Detail of a 19 foot by 10 foot JALI screen design by Andrew Fee in the Primary Bedroom loft.
Primary Bedroom with JALI screen.
Primary Bedroom with JALI screen.
The walled and gated interior garden between the main house and the coach house studio.
The walled and gated interior garden between the main house and the coach house studio.
View of the garden with corten steel custom planters for a Japanese Maple and Limelight Hydrangea.
View of the garden with corten steel custom planters for a Japanese Maple and Limelight Hydrangea.
Garden view.
Garden view.
The studio/office with gas fireplace overlooks the Laneway.
The studio/office with gas fireplace overlooks the Laneway.
Studio /office in the coach house.
Studio /office in the coach house.
Custom carpet samples, coloured "poms" used in choosing colours and printed carpet design based on a mosaic from Pompei.
Custom carpet samples, coloured "poms" used in choosing colours and printed carpet design based on a mosaic from Pompei.
DESIGN PLAN
Residence: main floor
- design plan includes extension to the rear of the building and courtyard/atrium garden cut into the west side. Dotted lines indicate original layout.
Residence: second floor
- design plan shows new staircase at front and loft overlooking the upper living room below
Residence: west, front and rear elevations
- design plan for atrium, front and rear windows
Residence: front facade
- front brick facade with new windows, stainless steel band and Spanish Cedar door. Stainless steel panels fitted to the original wooden floor plates that held up the brick facade
The completed DUPONT project includes two buildings on a gated 24 foot by 120 foot lot with rear laneway access. The two-storey residential living space fronting on Dupont Street has a main floor powder room, media room with atrium garden, custom walnut panelled kitchen and dining area and a family room with a 19 foot glass window wall overlooking a private garden.
The second floor houses the guest bedroom and ensuite bathroom while the master ensuite has a loft bedroom and panelled white oak bathroom tiled in Carrara marble.
The modern coach house building at the rear accommodates a two-car garage with a third laneway parking space and gated access. The studio space above has a 3-piece bathroom and rough-in kitchen.
Main Floor:
- panelling and kitchen cabinetry in hand-finished rift-cut walnut
- 19 foot glass window wall
- glass window atrium garden
- private interior garden with gated laneway access
- Stüv wood burning fireplace with Italian Travertine marble surround
2nd Floor Guest Bedroom & Bathroom:
- Queen size Bedroom with Atrium view
- Italian Porcelain tile with custom walnut and Calcutta marble vanity top
Principal Suite: Bedroom and Bathroom
- dimmable concealed LED lighting valance
- rift-cut white oak closet doors with hand-rubbed finish
- 19 foot x 10 foot perforated JALI screen
- rift-cut white oak panelling with hand-rubbed oil finish
- Italian Corian bathtub
- honed Carrara marble floors and wall
- lacquered double sink vanity and storage cabinet with walnut detail
- custom walnut mirror with built-in vintage Murano sconce lighting
Principal Suite:
- dimmable concealed LED lighting valance
- rift-cut white oak closet doors with hand-rubbed finish
- 19 foot x 10 foot perforated JALI screen
Coach House Studio & Garage:
- ground floor two car garage plus pad parking
- second floor 3 piece bathroom and rough-in kitchen
- gas fireplace / air conditioning
The building began life circa 1900 as a grocery store.
By 1907 this City Of Toronto Archives map shows Royce Ave. (now Dupont St.) The building in dark ochre is 1587 Dupont, labeled GRO for Grocery Store.
"The owners of Soma Studio not only redesigned an old supermarket and garage as this semi-detached house and laneway studio, but they also custom crafted its high-calibre appointments."
THE BUILD
In 2009 DUPONT was a rooming house with several bathrooms
In 2009 DUPONT was a rooming house with several bathrooms
Second floor demolition
Second floor demolition
Demolition of main floor showing original central staircase
Demolition of main floor showing original central staircase
Newspaper from 1911 found in a demolished wall advertises "Women's Boots at Special Prices"
Newspaper from 1911 found in a demolished wall advertises "Women's Boots at Special Prices"
Basement view
Basement view
Demolition of back facade
Demolition of back facade
Main floor view of old floor joists with opening where staircase had been
Main floor view of old floor joists with opening where staircase had been
Excavation for new footings was difficult due to heavy clay soil
Excavation for new footings was difficult due to heavy clay soil
Footings and foundation for the new extension
Footings and foundation for the new extension
New extension on the left, original one on the right
New extension on the left, original one on the right
Reinforced main floor joists
Reinforced main floor joists
Interior framing supporting the original brick front wall facade
Interior framing supporting the original brick front wall facade
Sistering the floor joists
Sistering the floor joists
Original bricks from Price and Standard produced circa 1900. Bricks from the cut made into the side of the building to create the atrium were salvaged and reused to edge the atrium wall
Original bricks from Price and Standard produced circa 1900. Bricks from the cut made into the side of the building to create the atrium were salvaged and reused to edge the atrium wall
Circa 1900, when this brick was made, a cat left its footprint in the wet clay.
Circa 1900, when this brick was made, a cat left its footprint in the wet clay.
Mason cuts into the wall in the narrow passage between the buildings to create the atrium.
Mason cuts into the wall in the narrow passage between the buildings to create the atrium.
Masons cut opening for the atrium designed to let more light into the building
Masons cut opening for the atrium designed to let more light into the building
Partly demolished wall where bricks were salvaged
Partly demolished wall where bricks were salvaged
Masons begin rebuilding the edges of the atrium using the salvaged bricks
Masons begin rebuilding the edges of the atrium using the salvaged bricks
View from Front Entryway into the interior. The new atrium on the right brings light into both storeys of the building
View from Front Entryway into the interior. The new atrium on the right brings light into both storeys of the building
Rear view showing new block walls of the extension in progress.
Rear view showing new block walls of the extension in progress.
Masons completing extension walls.
Masons completing extension walls.
Extension with roof.
Extension with roof.
Framing for the window openings
Framing for the window openings
Framing begins
Framing begins
Interior framing and insulation. Loft on second floor.
Interior framing and insulation. Loft on second floor.
View out the Window Wall to the Garage
View out the Window Wall to the Garage
Electricians at work.
Electricians at work.
Stucco work begins.
Stucco work begins.
Stucco crews installing the custom colour.
Stucco crews installing the custom colour.
Tenting the facade and creating a walkway on a busy urban street.
Tenting the facade and creating a walkway on a busy urban street.
Original Facade 2009
Original Facade 2009
Brick work complete and new window openings cut.
Brick work complete and new window openings cut.
New window openings with limestone details ready for windows and floor plate trims
New window openings with limestone details ready for windows and floor plate trims
View of two storey atrium complete with stucco and Spanish Cedar custom windows
View of two storey atrium complete with stucco and Spanish Cedar custom windows
Delivery of the new 18 foot wide sliding glass door.
Delivery of the new 18 foot wide sliding glass door.
Spanish cedar custom front door.
Spanish cedar custom front door.
Rift-cut Walnut kitchen and wall panelling awaiting appliances.
Rift-cut Walnut kitchen and wall panelling awaiting appliances.
SOMA Studio carpenters at work building the rift-cut Walnut Kitchen.
SOMA Studio carpenters at work building the rift-cut Walnut Kitchen.
Installers deliver the Carrara marble counter tops and backsplash.
Installers deliver the Carrara marble counter tops and backsplash.
SOMA Studio custom walnut storage pantry.
SOMA Studio custom walnut storage pantry.
Trenching for the electrical connections to the Coach House.
Trenching for the electrical connections to the Coach House.
Laneway Coach House framed.
Laneway Coach House framed.
Cladding with metal siding.
Cladding with metal siding.
Drywall stage. with rough-in plumbing and shower plate for bathroom on the right
Drywall stage. with rough-in plumbing and shower plate for bathroom on the right
Coach House studio second floor showing kitchen alcove and entry staircase far left
Coach House studio second floor showing kitchen alcove and entry staircase far left
Framed interior of second floor studio/office space. Custom Spanish cedar window frames await glazing on the right.
Framed interior of second floor studio/office space. Custom Spanish cedar window frames await glazing on the right.
Welders assemble the steel frame for the privacy wall which will be clad in cedar.
Welders assemble the steel frame for the privacy wall which will be clad in cedar.
Finishing touches to the steel frame were done onsite due to the 16 foot height of each panel
Finishing touches to the steel frame were done onsite due to the 16 foot height of each panel
Hoisting the 16 foot-high steel frames in place that will hold the cedar strips for the privacy wall.
Hoisting the 16 foot-high steel frames in place that will hold the cedar strips for the privacy wall.
Landscapers plant a screen of Columnar Beech trees
Landscapers plant a screen of Columnar Beech trees
A visitor falls into the narrow opening between the buildings and gets trapped. We call in SWAT for the rescue.
A visitor falls into the narrow opening between the buildings and gets trapped. We call in SWAT for the rescue.
No animals were harmed in the making of this residence. "Rocky" was relocated to the countryside.
No animals were harmed in the making of this residence. "Rocky" was relocated to the countryside.
Built with Shorthand