A Modern, Minimalist Hamilton Home That Overlooks the City

The green wall features its own water management system and – aside from the occasional dead plant – is self-sustaining.

The tree, a species native to Spain and known for its low water consumption, lends a bit of playfulness to the home.

The black and white tiled surfaces are by Porcelanosa. Tub by Blu Bathworks; fixtures by Graff.

The landscape design was approached with the idea of creating distinct zones, similar to kitchen design. Chaises by DWR.

Up on the escarpment, SMPL Design and DB Custom Homes have created a family abode that brings together clean design and comforting spaces

By Gregory Furgala
Photography by Gillian Jackson

Joel Tanner, CEO and creative director of SMPL Design Studio, cites two main challenges when designing modern, minimalist homes. First, you have to get your client to trust you. There’s a tendency, Tanner says, for people to overdo it, selecting colour and material palettes that are devoid of colour and texture, which with rare exception results in a home lacking warmth and comfort. The second challenge is, minimalist design leaves you nowhere to hide. “The biggest thing in modern architecture – and even moreso in modern construction – is the simpler the design, the harder the execution.”

The fireplace, by Felco Fireplace and Mantel, separates living and dining spaces. The living space lighting built into the drop ceiling was designed by SMPL and built by CLD Lighting. Flooring by Nadurra; windows by Alumilex.

Atop the Hamilton Escarpment, SMPL Design and builder DB Custom Homes have overcome both, creating a pared-back family home whose expressiveness is derived from its balance of simple geometries. “We wanted the form to speak for itself,” says Tanner. “We feel that the way to do that was in the simplification of the material palette.” And so, poured and polished concrete, hardwood, glass and steel stitch the home’s constituent forms together and wind through the interior and exterior, delineating uses throughout while contributing the necessary balance that makes the home both welcoming and refreshingly spare.

The dining space is enclosed by Maibec siding, which is used on the exterior as well. Chandelier by Eurofase; dining table and chairs by DWR.

The interplay of spartan minimalism and warmth is most evident on the main floor. Here, a wide east-facing dormer overlooks the living area, dining room and kitchen, tying each together into a coherent space. Each, though, retains its own character. A pair of steps and a drop ceiling delineate the kitchen, while a linear fireplace helpfully imposes itself, transforming the dining space into an intimate vignette. Each is part of a voluminous whole, but smart interventions maintain a sense of scale.

The kitchen cabinetry is by Devon Fine Cabinetry, while above, SMPL custom fixtures feature again. Surfaces are by Caesarstone.

Each feels intimately connected to the outdoors, too. With multiple outdoor “zones” – for lounging, for dining, for cooking, for enjoying the pool – the landscape design balances the competing needs for privacy and sociability. It’s as easy to imagine entertaining a couple dozen people as it is quietly wiling away a day reading. And here, SMPL’s transposition of interior and exterior design becomes readily apparent. “We wanted the colour, tone, materiality and textures of the exterior to drive the interior,” says Tanner. “Whether you’re standing outside or sitting in the dining room, you can take in both the internal and external architecture.”

The stairwell also draws light into the main floor and basement. On the right, millwork features plenty of storage for jackets, shoes and the family’s collection of games. The opposite side also features storage for one of home’s two home offices.

Of course, the problem with minimalist design – at least where showing off is concerned – is it’s often about what’s not there. SMPL eschewed common elements like window trim to further simplify the design, and of course ornamentation is practically non-existent. Instead, junctures, corners and seams are flawlessly constructed. The clean break line between the foundation and the home is another dominant feature that, like the rest, recedes into the background. But then, that’s kind of point: the form speaks for itself.