If you’ve been following Solares for a while, you’ve probably read about Our House — the home Tom and I designed and renovated for our family when our kids were toddlers. Well, those toddlers are now teenagers, and this case study is all about what came next: Our House Two!
Our clients at La Pointe (two Toronto-based engineers) have a passion for innovative materials and systems that upped the ante even for us. Spoiler: solar photovoltaic array for offsetting and backup, no fossil fuels for backup here!
Having a dream of sustainable living doesn’t mean spending a fortune. Lime Kiln Croft shows that some of the best ways to achieve a low-carbon, green home are the simplest: good layout, passive solar design, and choosing cost-effective technologies.
This project is a glowing example of how savvy, Toronto property owners can take an underused portion of land they already own and, with clever design and smart construction, create a valuable and beautiful new asset.
Please welcome the newest member of the Eco Flats Empire! Eco Flats #2 is our next super-efficient rental triplex in Toronto. It has three two-bedroom units, and it’s our most air-tight project yet!
When housing in Toronto is so expensive, you start to get creative. For one Toronto couple whose parents were willing to share in the creativity, this meant plucking potential out of thin air
We’re excited to share two of our most recent builds being built simultaneously in lush and gorgeous Prince Edward County!
This is Christine and Tom’s second personal passion project! After buying the building, the pair are transforming it into a modern and comfortable, all-electric, triplex!
This major renovation combines a cool, loft-like infill house and a family-run business, all under one roof. The finished product is a three-floor oasis in downtown Toronto.
This rural home is compact, beautiful, and above all, Net-Zero. With active energy systems and grey-water collection, this house collects as much energy as it uses.
This home sits on a 49-acre property north of Toronto along a tributary of the Credit River, and replaces a 1970s prefab Viceroy cabin that was suffering from structural problems and mould.
This new build is found in Frontenac County, atop granite outcroppings, overlooking a lake, and shrouded by cedar trees. An added bonus is this project’s extreme airtightness and efficiency.
Ever wondered what it’s like when architects build their own homes? Now’s your chance to find out. Acting as designer, architect, and general contractor, our very own Tom and Christine transformed their tiny Toronto home into a bright, energy efficient haven.
This major renovation, on a tree-lined street in central-west Toronto, transforms this Victorian home’s previously cramped interior into an open-concept dream home for our clients and their two young children.
This major overhaul of a huge, Edwardian home in east Toronto combines three main features we love: Energy efficiency, contemporary touches, and a traditional Edwardian layout.
