![A modern house with walls of glass, a green roof, private outdoor spaces, and wood accents.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-house-architecture-011121-819-01.jpg)
Dubbeldam Architecture + Design has completed a modern house in Toronto, Canada, that’s situated on a narrow lot and provides outdoor living spaces on multiple levels to address the owners’ desire for a better connection to the home’s natural surroundings.
Working with the existing footprint of a century-old fully detached house in the city’s midtown neighborhood, only the two side exterior walls of the original building were retained.
![This modern house facade comprises of a combination of windows, doors and spandrel panels.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-house-design-architecture-011121-821-02.jpg)
The house facade is a combination of windows, doors, and spandrel panels, with the windows framing the views to the exterior, bringing natural light and the experience of the changing seasons into the interior.
![This modern house facade comprises of a combination of windows, doors and spandrel panels, with the windows framing the views to the exterior, bringing natural light and the experience of the changing seasons into the interior.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-house-design-architecture-011121-821-03.jpg)
The porch beside the front door acts as a private outdoor dining room enclosed by a five-foot-high wood screen, extending the private realm into the public arena.
![The porch beside the front door acts as a private outdoor dining room enclosed by a five-foot-high wood screen, extending the private realm into the public arena.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-house-design-architecture-011121-821-04.jpg)
Stepping inside, we see a hidden door that can close off the entryway from the dining room.
![Stepping inside and a hidden door can close off the entryway from the dining room.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-interior-hidden-door-011121-823-05.jpg)
The dining room has a sliding glass door that opens to the private front porch patio, while white cabinets along the wall morph into the kitchen cabinets.
![This modern dining room has a sliding glass door that opens to the private front porch patio, while white cabinets along the wall morph into the kitchen cabinets.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-dining-room-011121-824-01.jpg)
The kitchen has open wood shelves and a black island with room for seating, while a low shelf separates the kitchen and living room. A few steps lead down to the living room.
![This modern kitchen has open wood shelves and a black island with room for seating, while a low shelf separates the kitchen and living room. A few steps lead down to the living room.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-kitchen-design-011121-827-01.jpg)
The living room, which has a dark accent wall, has an oversized sliding glass door that opens to a rear deck.
![This modern living room, which has a dark accent wall, has an oversized sliding glass door that opens to a rear deck.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-living-room-011121-828-01.jpg)
The rear yard is landscaped and features a generously scaled thermally treated ash wood deck, and a few steps down, another zone defined by granite pavers is planted with a row of honey locust trees that offer dappled light and shade in summer.
![The rear yard is landscaped and features a generously scaled thermally treated ash wood deck, and a few steps down, another zone defined by granite pavers is planted with a row of honey locust trees that offer dappled light and shade in summer.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-house-wood-deck-011121-829-01.jpg)
The plant material was selected to provide visual interest year-round. The small garage also has a green roof, allowing it to blend into its surroundings.
![The rear yard is landscaped and features a generously scaled thermally treated ash wood deck, and a few steps down, another zone defined by granite pavers is planted with a row of honey locust trees that offer dappled light and shade in summer. There's also a small garage with green roof.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-backyard-wood-deck-green-roof-011121-830-01.jpg)
Steel and wood stairs with glass railings connect the various levels of the home.
![Steel and wood stairs with glass railings connect the various levels of this modern home.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-wood-metal-stairs-011121-829-01.jpg)
On the third floor, an exposed roof deck off a bedroom at the back of the house has plentiful views over the neighborhood and into the extensive green canopy surrounding the house.
![On the third floor, an exposed roof deck off a bedroom at the back of the house has plentiful views over the neighborhood and into the extensive green canopy surrounding the house.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-bedroom-wall-of-windows-011121-833-01.jpg)
At the front of the house, half of the master bedroom is given over to an intimate exterior space clad in the warm ash, with a recessed planter and an opening carved into the roof for natural light.
![At the front of this modern house, half of the master bedroom is given over to an intimate exterior space clad in the warm ash, with a recessed planter and an opening carved into the roof for natural light.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-bedroom-011121-833-01.jpg)
This “skygarden” functions as a unique outdoor room, open to the sky, sun, wind, and stars.
![This “skygarden” functions as a unique outdoor room, open to the sky, sun, wind and stars.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-private-patio-011121-836-01.jpg)
In one of the bathrooms, a floating white vanity lines the wall, while the opposite wall is home to a built-in bathtub and a glass-enclosed shower.
![In this modern bathroom, a floating white vanity lines the wall, while the opposite wall is home to a built-in bathtub and a glass enclosed shower.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-bathroom-floating-vanity-011121-835-01.jpg)
Here’s a look at the floor plan and sections.
![The floor plan and sections of a modern three-storey house.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/modern-house-floor-plan-section-011121-817-01.jpg)