Located in Toronto’s Forest Hill neighborhood, Canada, Stack House by Atelier RZLBD is a striking residence designed as a composition of three stacked blocks. Inspired by the idea of a pile of books, the home explores how horizontal volumes can be layered, shifted, and cantilevered to create a sculptural form that stands out from every angle.
The three volumes are expressed through different materials and functions. The lower block, finished in stucco, contains the home’s public spaces, while a charred wood-clad middle volume houses transitional areas that link the different levels. Above, a metal-clad upper block accommodates the most private rooms.
Despite the contrasting materials, a unified dark-grey palette ties the design together. Set among the more traditional homes of Forest Hill, Stack House balances familiar elements, such as its pitched roof, with a bold stacked composition that gives the residence a distinctive architectural presence.
Outdoor Living Across Multiple Levels
The rear of the property reveals another side of the design. Here, the architecture opens to a series of outdoor spaces created for entertaining and relaxation.
A swimming pool stretches alongside the house, accompanied by a patio and an outdoor dining area that extend everyday living into the landscape.
Beyond these spaces, a terraced garden introduces layers of planting framed by weathered steel planters that add texture and warmth against the home’s darker materials.
Together, these elements create a backyard that feels organized yet inviting, with each zone serving a different purpose while remaining visually connected.
Living Spaces Framed by Views and Light
Inside, the home shifts from its orderly exterior into a much more fluid experience.
Multiple living areas are distributed throughout the interior, each offering its own atmosphere. One space features a large bookshelf filled with books and decorative objects, creating a focal point that adds personality and visual interest. Another gathering area centers around a fireplace, providing a more intimate setting within the larger open-plan layout.
The arrangement of rooms encourages changing perspectives as occupants move through the house, revealing new connections between levels and spaces.
A Dining Area Defined by Simplicity
The dining space embraces a restrained design language that complements the architecture.
At its center sits a round black dining table, paired with a minimalist light fixture suspended overhead. The simplicity of the furnishings allows the surrounding architecture to take prominence while still creating an elegant setting for meals and gatherings.
The circular form of the table also introduces a softer element among the home’s many strong geometric lines.
A Kitchen Designed Around the Island
The kitchen continues the home’s clean aesthetic with an emphasis on functionality.
A large island anchors the room and provides casual seating, creating a natural gathering point for family and guests. Along the perimeter, minimalist cabinetry stretches across the walls, maintaining a streamlined appearance while offering generous storage.
The restrained material palette and uncluttered surfaces reinforce the home’s contemporary character while keeping attention on the architectural volumes that define the space.
The Staircase That Connects the Entire House
At the heart of Stack House is its most dramatic architectural feature, a quadruple-height staircase that extends from the skylights above all the way down to the basement.
Surrounded by a series of light shafts, the staircase acts as the home’s central organizing element. Natural light travels through the vertical void, illuminating multiple levels and creating constantly changing patterns throughout the day.
Rooms branch off this central space, creating visual relationships between different floors. Sightlines extend from the living room through the house, reaching toward a transparent wine cellar and a feature garden located in the basement.
A Private Bedroom at the Top of the Stack
Occupying the uppermost portion of the house is one of the home’s bedrooms, positioned within the most private block of the composition.
The room includes a spacious walk-through closet, adding both convenience and a sense of luxury. Elevated above the other living spaces, the bedroom enjoys a quieter atmosphere while remaining visually linked to the rest of the home through the vertical organization of the design.
A Minimalist Bathroom With Spa-Like Appeal
The adjoining bathroom follows the same restrained aesthetic found throughout the house.
A floating vanity contributes to the room’s clean appearance, while a freestanding bathtub serves as a sculptural centerpiece. Nearby, a glass-enclosed shower maintains openness and allows natural light to move freely through the space.
Understanding the Layout
The floor plans reveal how Atelier RZLBD organized the home’s complex arrangement of spaces.
With its stacked composition, dark material palette, dramatic central staircase, and layered interior spaces, this home challenges conventional residential design while remaining highly functional.