Gillian Gillies Designs a Warm, Net Zero Ready Toronto Home

In the rapidly densifying landscape of Toronto, where a growing array of boisterous architectural statement pieces compete for attention, a new home designed by interior designer Gillian Gillies stands as a welcome reprieve. Sustainability, so often associated with clinical engineering, soaring towers, expansive campuses, and stark, performance-driven aesthetics, is here reimagined as a “warm embrace.” Located in the upmarket “urban village” neighborhood of Leaside, the Net Zero Ready Home project proves that advanced environmental stewardship and joyful, idiosyncratic interiors can coexist.

The project is the result of a tight collaboration between Gillian Gillies (the designer’s eponymous practice), Dewson Architects, and builders Cliff & Evans. While the technical foundation is rooted in passive house principles—featuring meticulously tested air and moisture control layers to ensure a consistent year-round temperature—the sensory quality of the home is defined by texture, color, and family connection. “Comfort was paramount,” Gillies says, “and that meant a home that was properly constructed as well as [comfortable furniture].”

Photography by Doublespace Photography

Gillies, originally from Edinburgh, brings a sensibility rooted in the permanence of neoclassical and Georgian architecture, translated here through a palette of natural materials including white oak, walnut, and wool. Each room is tailored to its intended function, while bold floral wallcoverings and textured tile add personality. Rather than the sterile “newness” typical of contemporary high-performance homes, the interiors embrace deliberate juxtaposition.

Photography by Doublespace Photography

“We don’t perfectly match textiles,” Gillies explains. “Instead, we like a little bit of tension, a little bit of a mismatch that makes the home feel more settled.”

This philosophy is most evident in the communal spaces, where the design explicitly fosters human interaction. A double-sided sofa in the living room invites simultaneous yet distinct modes of engagement. A floating box window seat in the foyer provides a quiet nook for reflection. The color story—a grounding base of greens and blues punctuated by vibrant flashes of yellow and red—mirrors the family’s love of travel and the natural world.

Photography by Doublespace Photography

Throughout the four-story structure, strategically placed architectural and decorative lighting shapes the mood. A Lutron HomeWorks system seamlessly transitions the atmosphere from energetic to intimate. Sculptural pendants from Montreal-based boutique producers Lambert & Fils and Gabriel Scott add a layer of contemporary craft. Vintage Brazilian furniture and Oaxacan woven baskets reinforce the space’s warm, tactile quality.

Photography by Doublespace Photography

Ultimately, this Toronto home stands as a testament to the idea that thoughtful architecture can improve everyday life. By prioritizing the wellbeing of both the planet and a specific family, Gillies created a structure that does more than just store carbon; it’s a space that holds life in all its complexity.

“We create homes to be lived in and not simply looked at,” she says. In striking this careful balance, the designer has created a home that will undoubtedly last through the generations.

Photography by Doublespace Photography

Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based writer specializing in collectible and sustainable design. With a focus on craft-led experimentation, he covers designers and makers who are pushing the boundaries of their disciplines.