RUBIK HAUZ

Located in Scarborough, Toronto, this contemporary duplex reinterprets suburban living through a simple yet distinctive architectural language. Designed as two independent dwelling units with a walkout basement, the house balances the practical realities of urban living with a refined architectural expression.

The design draws inspiration from the geometry and movement of a Rubik’s Snake. Rather than relying on complex forms, the building is composed of a series of subtle shifts and carefully carved window recesses. These slight angular gestures create changing shadows throughout the day, giving the otherwise restrained volume a sense of movement and character.

The façade is intentionally minimal. Light-coloured masonry provides a timeless and durable exterior, while vertical wood screens introduce warmth, texture, and rhythm. Beyond their visual role, the screens serve as an environmental filter—softening sunlight, enhancing privacy, and creating a layered relationship between the interior and the street.

The project embraces the idea that architecture does not need to be extravagant to be memorable. Through careful proportions, thoughtful detailing, and the interplay of light and shadow, the house achieves a quiet presence within its neighbourhood.

More than a duplex, the project is an exploration of how simplicity can create richness, and how modest gestures can transform an ordinary residential typology into a meaningful living environment.

这座位于多伦多士嘉堡的双拼住宅，以简洁而富有辨识度的建筑语言，回应当代城市居住的需求。建筑共设两户独立住宅单元，并结合可步出式地下室（Walkout Basement）设计，为业主未来的出租需求及多元化生活方式提供了灵活性。

设计灵感来源于“魔方蛇（Rubik’s Snake）”的几何变化。建筑并未采用复杂夸张的造型，而是在简洁的体量基础上，通过几个轻微倾斜、内凹的窗洞处理，创造出丰富的光影变化。随着一天中阳光角度的改变，建筑表情也不断发生细微变化，使静态的体量呈现出动态的生命力。

立面设计遵循“少即是多”的原则。浅色砖材构成建筑主体，营造出沉稳、耐久且具有时间感的外观；竖向木格栅则为建筑注入温暖与细腻的尺度感。格栅不仅是立面的视觉元素，同时承担着遮阳、过滤自然光以及保护居住隐私的功能，在室内与街道之间形成一层柔和的过渡界面。

我们相信，优秀的建筑并不依赖复杂的形式，而是来自于对比例、光线与空间关系的细致思考。通过克制的设计手法，这座住宅在日常生活与建筑艺术之间取得平衡，在平凡的住宅类型中创造出独特而富有记忆点的空间体验。

这不仅是一栋双拼住宅，更是一场关于简约、秩序与居住品质的探索。