Balliol Street Infill Housing
Toronto, 2026
Toronto, 2026
A semi-detached infill project designed to introduce gentle density within a traditional midtown Toronto neighborhood.
Located on a 25 × 100 ft lot, the project replaces a single-family condition with two contemporary dwellings—balancing increased livable area with sensitivity to the existing streetscape.
Narrow urban lot within an established residential fabric
Zoning constraints limiting massing, height, and setbacks
Need to maximize Gross Floor Area without triggering variances
Integrating contemporary design into a context of historic brick homes
Beyond compliance, the project required a strategy that could unlock additional value while remaining fully buildable.
The design is driven by a zoning-first methodology, using massing and envelope manipulation to work precisely within allowable limits.
Key moves include:
Efficient Massing: Optimizing building depth and vertical stacking to maximize usable area
Articulated Envelope: A layered façade system that responds to light, privacy, and seasonal variation
Contextual Alignment: Maintaining datum lines and proportions aligned with adjacent homes
Dual Identity: Creating two distinct yet cohesive units within a unified architectural language
The façade acts as a responsive “skin,” allowing variation in perception throughout the day while maintaining a consistent material palette.
Rather than treating the project as a standard semi-detached subdivision, the proposal rethinks the typology as a compact urban housing system.
Each unit is organized to maximize natural light penetration despite tight side setbacks
Interior layouts prioritize flexibility for modern family living
Openings are strategically positioned to balance privacy and transparency
The result is a project that feels both efficient and spatially generous.
Increased density without rezoning or minor variances
Fully compliant, permit-ready design
Enhanced streetscape through refined material expression
A replicable model for small-lot urban intensification in Toronto
Residential Infill
Semi-Detached Housing
Zoning-Constrained Development
This project demonstrates how zoning constraints can become a design driver, enabling architecture that is both economically viable and contextually responsive.
PROJECT DETAILS
Client: Private
Stage: Schematic Design
Architect: Iman Raeisi
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Area: 348 sqm