The prestigious Canadian mathematician James Stewart, was the owner of this house whose design finally was commissioned to Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe, after considering many other important architects, such as Frank Gehry or Rem Koolhaas. Design works began in 1999, but construction began in 2003 and lasted until 2009.
Beyond the name, Integral House, this building is a shrine to calculus, because its design is based on curves, for which it is necessary to make some mathematical calculations. The architects combine these forms with the enclosure so that from the windows you cannot see any other house. The second request was to include a large flexible space for concerts and other events.
The house is situated on a hill, three floors are built on the slope under the street level, and over it there are two more storeys that are visible from the outside. On the lower level is the swimming pool area, opened to an outside patio separated by a glass wall that can be mechanically hidden in the ground. The main space, for meetings and concerts, is located on the third level, still below street level and dining and living room areas of the storey located at street level are opened to it. Upstairs there are bedrooms and other domestic spaces.
All elements were designed and custom built. The project is also environmentally friendly and incorporates geothermal heating, cooling and planted roofs.
Integral House has received numerous awards since its construction, including the 2012 Governor-General's Medal in Architecture.
'I think it's one of the most important private houses built in North America in a long time,' says Glenn D. Lowry, director of New York's Museum of Modern Art. 'The curved walls make it almost impossible to relate it to spaces that you know. It's one of the most remarkable houses I've ever been in.'
CREDITS. DATA SHEET.-
Architects.- Shim-Sutcliffe Architects.- Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe.
Project team.- Betsy Williamson, Andrew Hart, Michael Goorevich, Denise Haradem , Kyra Clarkson, Sarah Iwata
Art collaborators.- Mimi Gellman, Norbert Stattler, Edward Burtynsky, Margaret Priest
Landscape.- NAK Design Group. Interior design.- Julie Latraverse and Chris Oliver. Lighting.- Suzanne Powadiuk Design Inc. Acoustics.- Swallow Consultants.
Client.- James Stwewart.
Builder.- Eisner Murray Custom Builders
Area.- 1.670 m².
Dates.- Start.- 2003. Completed.- 2009.
Location.- 194 Roxborough Drive, Rosedale, Toronto.
