La Pointe House, Ontario / Solares Architecture
La Pointe is a lakeside vacation property in Prince Edward County with sweeping views over Lake Ontario. The long narrow property has lush fields, mature trees, and lake frontage.
Solares Architecture
About Solares
Solares is a Toronto-based architecture firm specializing in sustainable residential design. Since our founding in 2005, we have earned a reputation as experts in energy efficiency and building science. Fully licensed by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), we focus on custom residential new builds and major renovations across Ontario.
Our complete turnkey process guides you through every stage of creating your custom home, from the first ideas to the final move-in day. We believe the fundamentals of sustainability are passive solar design, an airtight and ultra-insulated building envelope, and high-quality construction.
History
Solares Architecture was founded by Tom Knezic and Christine Lolley. After graduating from the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, they were asked by Christine’s parents to design them a home for their rural property. The two agreed and designed a house that was at the forefront of sustainable design. When no local builders were up for the task, Christine and Tom built it themselves!
The finished home was everything they aimed for: delightful, comfortable, efficient, and durable. After completion, Tom and Christine celebrated their marriage there! The experience was so significant that they resolved to start their own, “Solar residential” firm, to provide others with similar meaningful experiences and beautiful, sustainable homes.
LOCATION: Toronto, Canada
LEARN MORE: solares.ca
Lakeside Guest House – Frontenac West / Solares Architecture
Frontenac West accommodates a range of guests and is designed to be user-friendly to those with mobility challenges. The design is as compact as possible, maximizing the usability of space while minimizing impact to the site.
Frontenac House / Solares Architecture
Beautifully built by Mike McGonegal of Reeves Fine Homes, Frontenac House seamlessly integrates with the land. The warm wood trim and large, fiberglass-frame, triple-glazed windows beautifully frame uninterrupted views of the wooded property to those inside.
North York Mid-Century Modern Home
This major renovation transforms a 1950s split-level house into a two-storey, all-electric, multi-generational home. And it was all designed without the need for an addition.
Etobicoke Mid-Century Modern House
The metamorphosis of this Toronto-area bungalow was driven by the desire to increase the usability of existing space and a deep respect for the energy embodied in existing materials.
Paris House by Solares Architecture
Paris House is the culmination of an in-depth search for a place to call home during retirement. The owners are a retired couple from Toronto who wanted to live car-free in a small town
Manitoulin Island Off-Grid House by Solares Architecture
Manitoulin Island Off-Grid House sits quietly on a coastal property on Lake Huron. Varied ceiling heights, expansive sliding doors, and well-placed windows bring light into the home that changes throughout the day and the seasons.
House on Grand River by Solares Architecture
House on Grand River is a modern, multi-generational home, with a family-centred layout, striking blocks of colour, and gorgeous views.