Home tour: a light-filled residence in Ontario, Canada reimagined with sculptural architectural interventions

“Projects like this are compelling because they allow us to reinterpret an existing framework,” they continue. “The renovation became a way to align the house more closely with their lifestyle while giving the interiors a calmer, more modern character.”

Spanning 5,050 sq ft, the full-time residence–nicknamed “Glasgow”–presented an ideal opportunity for a seasoned firm with an extensive portfolio of contemporary architecture and interiors, often defined by its deft ability to reinterpret traditional vernacular into open yet articulated spaces that emphasise spatial continuity.

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“The clients had a clear sense that they wanted the house to feel brighter, more contemporary, and better suited to support their everyday routines, while also providing a series of spaces that could comfortably accommodate gatherings with family and friends,” they share. “They were drawn to spaces that felt open and visually connected, but still retained moments of intimacy and comfort.”

Rather than relying on decorative gestures, the project called for a more sculptural and cohesive interior strategy: “retaining elements that are elemental to the original work while introducing new architectural interventions that bring clarity to its previously fragmented layout, reframing the spaces to create a stronger identity for the interior,” they add.

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Introducing these new architectural elements within an existing structure was one of the main challenges for Reigo & Bauer; they had to feel purposeful rather than imposed.

In the grand foyer, the new, dramatic curved staircase became a key move in addressing this challenge. Fabricated from powder-coated white welded steel, it rises in a continuous sweep through the space.

With treads and risers articulated beneath, the form reads as both light and precise, while a slender balustrade traces a fluid arc, culminating in a solid bronze handrail that introduces a note of warmth.

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“It’s the first architectural gesture you encounter when entering the house, and it establishes the language that carries through the rest of the project,” the founders elaborate.

As a feature the designers particularly enjoyed developing, it solves several problems at once: it gives the entry hall a strong focal point, reorganises circulation through the house, and introduces a sculptural quality that feels present but not overpowering.

“In many ways, it embodies the project’s larger ambition–using a small number of carefully detailed architectural gestures to create a cohesive and memorable interior,” they say.

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The entryway unfolds in a sequence of interconnected living spaces across the main level, where a restrained material palette provides a foundation for spatial relationships to take precedence, while still offering moments of visual richness through texture and form.

Natural materials such as wide-plank oak flooring and large expanses of Italian limestone-clad walls establish a calm backdrop in the sunken living room, while the existing rough-stone columns–which had to be retained–frame views of the surrounding forest.

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Here, Reigo & Bauer chose a soft, neutral colour palette that introduces subtle moments of character without overwhelming the composition. These include carefully selected pieces such as sculptural sofas and a striking glass-bubble light fixture by Giopato & Coombes that draw the eye across the space.

Up two steps, a secondary seating area with darker, richer-hued furniture and carpet features a three-sided glass fireplace housed within a plaster-wrapped pillar, introducing depth and movement.

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This communal zone transitions into the open-plan kitchen, where a large central island anchors the space, with a breakfast nook tucked away just beyond. Intentionally minimalist, the heart of the home features off-white cabinetry with concealed handles, alongside the filleted form of a custom-designed cooker hood.

Below and beyond the main living areas, the house expands into a series of spaces designed for leisure and gathering, each calibrated to a different mode of occupation.

From the entry hall, a caramel-carpeted stair pivots sharply back on itself as it reaches the basement level, its bronze handrail terminating neatly into the floor, while Foscarini sconces bathe the stairwell in a warm glow.

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Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws light into the central hallway, offering glimpses into each room with a sense of visual continuity. A 36-inch glass partition separates the gym from the moody, sunken wine cellar, where a custom oil-rubbed steel-rack system introduces a more tactile, intimate dimension.

Additionally, a limestone podium stands in the centre of the cellar, and a hidden door at the back leads to a secondary cold-storage room, keeping extra wine cases out of sight.

Across the hallway, a lounge area and a games room with views of the garden are subtly divided by an open shelving unit. Here, grey-stained oak battens clad the walls of both spaces, creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere while adding depth and rhythm to the vertical surfaces through shadow.

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Finally, across the pool terrace, the pool house is conceived as a separate pavilion that operates as both a private retreat and a social hub, complete with its own kitchen, lounge and dining area.

Often referred to as the homeowners’ “cottage in the city”, the interior contrasts with the calm, restrained palette of the main residence, shifting noticeably through graphic wall coverings, textured panelled walls and layered finishes that evoke an atmosphere akin to a refined hospitality setting.

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