AAmp Studio preserves a historic house and designs an annex

Homeowners in Toronto came to AAmp Studio (AN’s 2025 Best of Practice winner for Architect (Small Firm) – Canada) with a challenge: preserve and renovate their historic neo-Georgian home, while adding a modern annex that also complements the original structure. By incorporating natural light and mixing materials, AAmp Studio successfully bridges old with the new in the Bessborough Residence.

A 2-story sliver of glass connects the original red-brick structure and the annex clad in gray board and batten siding. The extension hugs the original house, mirroring its frame to create a single cuboid volume. The architects made sure the addition reflected the original home’s 2-story height, elevation composition, and roofline. AAmp Studio’s cofounder, Anne-Marie Armstrong commented, “Through the renovation and expansion of this home, we struck a balance between new and old, historic and contemporary, something we like to say is ‘stealth modern’ and that demonstrates new architecture has a place in historic contexts.”

aamp designs home — Fluted oak is used throughout the interiors (Courtesy Doublespace)

“Because the original home was so partitioned, we knew that with this renovation and addition we wanted to lead with light,” added Andrew Ashey, AAmp Studio’s cofounder. The stringent partitions of the original structure made it difficult for the family of five to gather. AAmp Studio carved out open spaces within the original home and continued this language into the annex.

living room with fireplace — Large glass siding doors connect the living room to the outdoors (Courtesy Doublespace)

The open floorplan continues at the annex. The first floor of the addition houses communal gathering space for family and friends: the living room, dining room, kitchen, and breakfast nook. There floor-to-ceiling windows are located on one side of the living room, drawing connection to the outdoor living room, where the team cleverly reused the red brick from the dismantled garage and applied it to the exterior facade of this side of the annex.

A breakfast nook falls under an archway (Courtesy Doublespace)

doorways are arched — Soffits and doorways continue the curved language (Courtesy Doublespace)

Clean white walls and white oak floors set the tone for the home’s interior design. This subdued color and material palette is met with a language of curves: an arched breakfast banquette, curved vaulted hallway ceilings, doorways, and small details in the millwork, stair treads, and handrails. These small but noticeable notes allow for the home to allow for a more comfortable atmosphere.

aamp studio designs bedroom — In the bedroom, black millwork marks a dark departure from the home’s white base (Courtesy Doublespace)

staircase under archway — The central staircase was moved to create a more spacious feel (Courtesy Doublespace)

In the bedrooms and bathrooms, the designers played with color. Touches of dusty rose, olive, sky blue, and deep navy blue were used as accents on wallpaper and tilework. In the master bathroom, light blue zellige tile were installed and a butterfly wallpaper decorates the walls of one of the children’s bedroom.

aamp designs kid room — Butterfly wallpaper adds whimsy to the bedroom (Courtesy Doublespace)

blue bathroom — Rich blue millwork takes over a bathroom (Courtesy Doublespace)

bathroom with blue tiles — A mix of patterns and materials coalesce in the bathroom, including marble and fluting (Courtesy Doublespace)

AAmp also tinkered with texture in the renovation. Fluted oak clads the foyer above the wooden built-in bench. A similar treatment was applied to the wall within the curved breakfast nook, the sides of the kitchen island, and around the fireplace.

Bessborough Residence draws connections between the old and the new in the renovation and expansion, uniting the two while also leaving them distinct.

In Toronto, AAmp Studio preserves a historic 19th-century house while designing a contemporary annex

Stealth Modern

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