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The raised living room and den beneath it (pictured here) can be converted into a ground-floor bedroom, freeing up the loft above the bathroom for storage or other uses.

“The arrow opens up to the north so it can receive all the natural light from the sun’s path,” explains Noguera.

Designed for close to net-zero energy consumption, Edmonton architect Vivian Manasc’s colorful rooftop penthouse is equipped with solar panels that generate electricity. Waste heat emissions from the elevator core helps to warm the space passively.

The kitchen features custom-lacquered cabinets with white oak handles and, in lieu of upper cabinets, a wall niche to display dishes.

Translucent and transparent polycarbonate window panels punctuate the facade to flood the interior with natural light.

The city, located on the country's eastern coast, is known for its world-class surfing. Photo by Rory Gardiner.

Split House is built for a young professional family wouldfrom-home capabilities, entertainment, additional children in the future etc

The exterior materials, including board-formed concrete and Hardi Panel, comply with strict building codes that required noncombustible materials in the narrow setbacks. “The exterior cladding to me lay against the house in the same way a record lays against the wall above the stereo,” says Darren.

The courtyard brings natural light into the lower level of the home, which has a den/media room, guest suite/workout area, and storage and mechanical.

“Typically people don't have pools on a small city lot like this, so we really had to work with what we had,” says Monika. The couple’s child, Sullivan, peaks through the pool’s window.

“I’m the queen of Ikea cabinets,” laughs Jade. She commissioned custom birch-veneer plywood for the doors from L.A.’s Anderson Plywood. While she was budget-conscious in many ways, she also is willing to splurge where it counts. “Hardware is where I spend money. That’s where people touch and feel it,” she says. “It’s important to me that it feels significant.” Here, pulls and knobs come from Mockett. The countertop is a man-made resin from Arizona Tiles in La Quinta.

The couple sourced midcentury furniture and dishware from Toronto dealers like Mid Century Modern Toronto and Inabstracto. They also loved Etsy sellers Mimi La Rouleuse, Mid Age Vintage DE, Happy Moose Vintage, Mrs. Marvellous, and The Art of Object.

Though the new dining area is compact, it's open to the kitchen, the living area, and the backyard.