A custom-built multi-generational residence inspires connection in ‘Second Shaughnessy’

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From the outside, the Nanton II residence stands out majestically with its Tudor-style façade, blending seamlessly with the adjacent traditional properties in prestigious Shaughnessy. But step in, and the house is a sleek, high-tech, and exciting expression of the new.

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This juxtaposition of old and new represents the owner’s family history on this very lot. The client had grown up in the existing house at this address, a pre-1940-era structure that his parents had originally purchased after immigrating to Canada.

When he approached JHA Architecture + Interior for this project in 2016, the client was married with three children and ready to create a multi-generational residence where his elderly parents could also live.

After the client shared their very specific vision of what they wanted for the house, JHA Architecture + Interior Founder John Henshaw and Lead Interior Designer Joy Chao went to work on the design, taking into account family’s anticipated traffic patterns and adjusting the orientation of the South Facing Home to maximize the amount of natural light.

Unlike many other architecture firms, which bring interior designers on to a project after plans are drawn, Henshaw and Chao take a more holistic approach to their work. “My team and his team will work together (from the beginning) so that both the interior space plan and the exterior architecture work perfectly,” explains Chao.

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It was important to the client that the new build incorporate some aspects of their childhood home and maximize space. “Because the house is in the ‘Second Shaughnessy’ area (between King Edward and 33rd Avenue), while she preferred a contemporary house, she didn’t want the house to be jarring in her neighborhood,” says Chao.

The client also wanted a suite for the grandparents and a study area on the ground floor, which was unusual considering the standard main floor layout is a study, living room, dining room, kitchen and eating area.

Although Nanton II was designed to be expansive, at 5,400 square feet, Henshaw intended to make use of every inch of space. “A house like this doesn’t need corridors. Room to room to room to room is the most efficient. It’s something I learned from looking at ancient architecture, (including) ancient palaces,” says Henshaw.

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The result is a five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath residence that allows seven people from three generations, with three different lifestyles, to enjoy their busy lives independently and together.

The house is designed with a large L-shaped kitchen, nook and dining room large enough to accommodate all seven residents. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets, expansive porcelain countertops, a kitchen island, two sinks, large Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, and a pantry ensure there’s plenty of room for everyone, whether you’re preparing meals for a big feast together or the children are fixing a snack after the activity while the grandparents prepare a late breakfast. For outdoor entertaining, this main kitchen opens to a covered outdoor kitchen with a barbecue, gas grill, sink, and countertop.

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In the basement there is an office where the owners run their audiovisual business and a second kitchen to receive clients. On the main floor is a den where parents are known to watch the news while the kids hang out and play Minecraft.

The client’s sophisticated taste is expressed throughout the home through the use of contrasting colors, hard and soft textures, angular and circular lines, and different materials, such as metal and glass, as well as beautiful built-in millwork and natural materials, such as marble, walnut and oak. Artwork and state-of-the-art lighting and furnishings, like a customer-chosen red and white striped sofa, add effortless style.

The design of the main floor vanity, which won an NKBA Design Excellence Award for Best Contemporary Vanity in 2020, was inspired by the client-selected Bocci pendants and Hansgrohe waterfall faucet. “We took (those) as a starting point and played with the geometric shapes of both the lighting and the faucet,” explains Chao.

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Sustainability was paramount in this build, as is the case with most Henshaw projects. “We wanted to get to net zero,” says Henshaw. Three full inches of exterior insulation in the building envelope, as well as spray foam in the attic, increase energy efficiency and comfort, keeping the home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The high-tech home also features remote-controlled shutters and roller shades in most of the main spaces, and there are CCTV and remote temperature control features.

Nanton II was completed in August 2019 before the pandemic, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions began to lift, and the family had been living together there for many months, that the design team he was able to get in to take photos and see how the residents were using the space. “We were able to see all three generations enjoying themselves and interacting in the house. It was really satisfying to see how well it worked for them,” says Chao.