StudioAC’s Bellwoods Residence Splits Toronto Home Along a Light Slot

In 2026, Toronto's StudioAC, directed by Andrew Hill and Jennifer Kudlats, finalized the Bellwoods Residence. This home is designed around a vertical light slot that traverses the structure, dividing wooden elements from lighter surfaces and acting as both a structural and experiential core. Natural light filters from an opening on the roof down to the ground level, enlivening the wood and concrete finishes. The ground floor features wood enveloping the main living areas, while the light slot is bordered by white materials. A sunken living room, with concrete flooring, opens to an outdoor patio. A white metal staircase descends through the light slot, with its treads interlocking with the wooden guard. The primary bedroom on the third level boasts a wooden ceiling and white drapes. The exterior showcases rotated brick cladding that extends into the primary bathroom. At the back, a laneway house mirrors the material design, blending brick with sculptural forms, while a garden wall discreetly hides pool equipment. The only connection between wood and white occurs at the stair's saw-tooth edge.