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Collection by Kelsey Keith

Virtue Street Before and After

Reigo & Bauer's facade makeover for a house in Toronto's West End updated a run-of-the-mill and rundown family home at the end of a cul-de-sac into a modern beacon.

It doesn't take a complete renovation to make a big impact. Case in point is this facade and landscaping makeover by Canadian firm Reigo & Bauer. Tasked with updating a nondescript family home in Toronto's West End, the architects clad the existing structure in fiber cement panels, added a striking balcony and entry porch in deep turquoise powder-coated metal, and protected the tiny front yard from cars with the help of simple pavers and custom stainless-steel bollards. (The house is located at the terminus of a tiny cul-de-sac called Virtue Street and has been the victim of light vehicle collisions for years; pity the previous brick facade.)

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Reigo & Bauer were tasked with updating a modest home in rough shape: the bricks were falling off the facade, and a tiny 9-foot front yard didn't provide enough distance from turning cars in the crowded dead end. For background, Virtue Street is a half-block-long, hook shaped lane lined with 19th century houses, garages, and former workshop in Toronto's West End.
Reigo & Bauer were tasked with updating a modest home in rough shape: the bricks were falling off the facade, and a tiny 9-foot front yard didn't provide enough distance from turning cars in the crowded dead end. For background, Virtue Street is a half-block-long, hook shaped lane lined with 19th century houses, garages, and former workshop in Toronto's West End.
To fulfill the owner's request for a sunny spot to sit outside, Reigo & Bauer created a new balcony and entry porch. With few connections to the building it has the appearance of a free-standing structure, keeping it visually light and airy. The playful zig-zag pattern of the panels give the homeowners some shade and privacy, and a deep turquoise powder coating adds some color to Virtue Street in the winter.
To fulfill the owner's request for a sunny spot to sit outside, Reigo & Bauer created a new balcony and entry porch. With few connections to the building it has the appearance of a free-standing structure, keeping it visually light and airy. The playful zig-zag pattern of the panels give the homeowners some shade and privacy, and a deep turquoise powder coating adds some color to Virtue Street in the winter.
Another before and after shot of 19 Virtue Street by Reigo & Bauer. Here, you can see the outdated bay window and overgrown, structurally-unsound front porch.
Another before and after shot of 19 Virtue Street by Reigo & Bauer. Here, you can see the outdated bay window and overgrown, structurally-unsound front porch.
In the "after" shot for 19 Virtue Street, you can see evidence of Reigo & Bauer's landscaping work (in addition to the facade redo). The architects neatened the nine-foot-long front "yard" by repaving it with simple concrete pavers in random lengths and varying widths. Custom stainless steel bollards protect the property and landscaping, and one is finished with a hole for the homeowners to attach their bicycle lock for short-term use.
In the "after" shot for 19 Virtue Street, you can see evidence of Reigo & Bauer's landscaping work (in addition to the facade redo). The architects neatened the nine-foot-long front "yard" by repaving it with simple concrete pavers in random lengths and varying widths. Custom stainless steel bollards protect the property and landscaping, and one is finished with a hole for the homeowners to attach their bicycle lock for short-term use.