Thanks to a policy change in the summer of 2018, Toronto is encouraging residents to build small abodes along back lanes that were previously dominated by garages, making room for people rather than cars. These laneway houses are self-contained and typically sit on the same lot as a detached house, semi-detached house, or townhouse.

“Toronto’s laneway by-law has the potential to improve the livability of our city while transforming lanes into neighborhood spaces," says architect Brock James of LGA Architectural Partners.

The firm proves this theory with the recently completed College Laneway House. “College Laneway House addresses many of the typical challenges the upcoming wave of laneway houses will face,” says James. “It provides compact, yet spacious-feeling rooms; framed views and landscape elements that provide privacy; and windows and skylights that bring light in at all times of day.”

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Project Credits:

Architect: LGA Architectural Partners / (@lga_ap)

Builder: ZZ Contracting

Structural Engineer: Moses Structural Engineers

Millwork: Built Work Design

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A Compact Laneway House in Toronto Takes Back Underused Space