Project Name: North York Ravine House

Location: Toronto, Canada

Design Team: Denegri Bessai Studio

Total Floor Area: 7080 ft²

Completion: 2024

Photography: Scott Norsworthy

Feature:

Project - Denegri Bessai Studio has completed their remarkable renovation project - North York Ravine House on the edge of a ravine in Toronto's North York neighborhood, transforming a mid-century modern bungalow into a light-filled contemporary home for a young family with three children. This 7080-square-foot structure masterfully balances the preservation of modernist character with the fulfillment of contemporary family needs.

The project's most distinctive feature is its innovative treatment of the main floor, where the architects replaced a series of small compartmentalized rooms with an expansive, airy living area spanning nearly the entire length of the house. This bold intervention is complemented by a floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall at the rear, creating an almost seamless connection between interior spaces and the natural landscape. These architectural elements interact with the newly vaulted Douglas Fir ceiling to create rhythmic spatial experiences, adding dimensionality and warmth to the environment.

The spatial composition demonstrates a profound understanding of harmony, achieving balance between preserving modernist spirit and enhancing functionality. The central structural pier, thoughtfully clad with handmade TATA tiles from Mexico City - a nod to the client's heritage - becomes an artistic focal point. The team's careful consideration of family experience is reflected in the second-floor addition, whose bridge-like footprint creates valuable space without compromising the building's modernist form.

The project's uniqueness lies in its successful integration of respectful preservation and innovative design. The "peek-a-boo" lookout serves both children's playful needs and creates space for family interaction, while the unified natural materials create a perfect canvas for the ongoing dialogue between light, shadow, and architectural form. This project represents a significant achievement in residential renovation, transforming architecture into a medium that both respects history and faces toward the future.

This is not merely a residential renovation but a vivid lesson in how thoughtful design can transform outdated spaces into meaningful environments that nurture modern families, setting new standards for residential design in Canada's rapidly evolving urban landscape.

Design Team - Founded by partners in both work and life, Maria Denegri and Tom Bessai, Denegri Bessai Studio has established itself as one of Canada's most innovative architectural practices, renowned for balancing academic rigor with family-centered design solutions. This Toronto-based firm employs a unique dual leadership approach where Maria Denegri's strong coordination skills and pragmatic project management complement Tom Bessai's expertise in computational design, prototyping, and fabrication.

The studio excels in creating residential environments that are simultaneously adventurous and livable, with a particular focus on meeting the evolving needs of urban families. Their design philosophy hinges on deep client engagement, producing spaces that are truly personal while remaining sensitive to budget constraints. Currently, the firm is led by its founding principals along with team members Michal Bartosik, Alexia Hovis, and Cameron Manore, who bring additional expertise to their collaborative approach.

Both principals maintain strong academic connections as lecturers at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. Maria is a Past Chair of the Toronto Society of Architects and an active member of its Executive, while Tom leads the studio's prototyping, fabrication, and computation division, approaching each project with boundless energy and curiosity to explore innovative possibilities.

Denegri Bessai Studio's portfolio demonstrates their ability to seamlessly integrate innovative construction technologies with thoughtful spatial arrangements—creating architecture that combines technical sophistication with the joy and wonder of everyday living.