Kelly Doyle, Stephanie Vermeulen. Photo by Michael Doyle
In the website photo of Sixteen Degree Studio?s two principals, Kelly Doyle and Stephanie Vermeulen are wearing dark, monochromatic clothing and standing in front of a concrete wall. But even so, this Toronto-based firm?s self-presentation departs significantly from the hyper-serious default setting for young architectural practices: both women are smiling, and the concise, friendly text describes the studio as ?organized and personable.?
Doyle, 34, and Vermeulen, 36, met eight years ago as co-workers at Toronto?s Kohn Shnier architects. A good working relationship grew into a strong friendship when they travelled to Europe together, and in 2014, an opportunity to design a house in Port Hope, Ontario, provided the impetus to go out on their own. Augusta House is built using insulated concrete formwork that facilitates the structural requirements for building on a steep ravine slope. The concrete?s thermal mass minimizes heating and cooling needs. Photo by Bob Gundu
Augusta House is built using insulated concrete formwork that facilitates the structural requirements for building on a steep ravine slope. The concrete?s thermal mass minimizes heating and cooling needs. Photo by Bob Gundu
The completed project, Augusta House, uses insulated concrete formwork that allows it to occupy a plunging ravine site that had remained undeveloped in a built-up part of town. Clad in hand-formed red brick with cedar siding insets and c...