"Restrained, rigorous" palette enhances Toronto penthouse by GH3*

An all-black kitchen stands out against the otherwise white and concrete interior of this minimalist Toronto penthouse, designed by Canadian studio GH3*.

The 153-square-metre (1,650-square-foot) duplex condominium in downtown Toronto is located in an early 2000s building, which GH3* stripped back to its bare essentials.

A white Corian staircase bifurcates a duplex apartment interior — A white Corian staircase bifurcates the duplex apartment in Toronto

The team revealed the original cast-in-situ concrete structure, and used a pared-back material and colour palette to create a "refined backdrop" for the owner's art collection.

"The space is reinterpreted through a restrained, rigorous logic that highlights the inherent beauty of its construction," GH3* said.

An entirely matte black kitchen tucked into a niche — An entirely matte black kitchen is tucked into a niche

The majority of the sculptural interventions are completed in white, while select elements are rendered in black.

"Interior program zones are articulated through these tonal finishes, with black surfaces absorbing natural light and white surfaces reflecting it deeper into the space, manipulating light to shape the atmosphere and experience of the unit," said GH3*.

Black kitchen that opens onto a terrace via glass doors — The kitchen and living area open onto a terrace via glass doors

The lower level includes a primary suite and two flexible rooms, laid out as a series of white volumes around a central hallway.

A white Corian staircase emerges on the dual-aspect upper level, and acts as a divider between the kitchen on one side and an open living space on the other.

Minimalist detailing contrasts the textures of exposed concrete

Above, a small skylight is cut out of the gently angled concrete ceiling, while glass balustrades wrap the stairwell opening.

Inset into a white wall is a recess used for storing office equipment, with black lower cabinets and wooden shelving that matches the flooring throughout.

A wood-lined recess in an all-white wall that's used to store office equipment — A wood-lined recess in an all-white wall is used to store office equipment

The entirely matte-black kitchen is tucked into a niche opposite, and is accompanied by a thin, double waterfall island and matching circular stools.

"The space reads as complete and autonomous, while remaining visually connected to the rest of the room," GH3* said.

Off the kitchen, an all-white powder room features a curved-edge basin and a mirror with rounded corners, softening these elements against the stark white interior.

From the living space, large sliding glass doors open to a terrace with lounge furniture and a grill, enjoying a panoramic view across the city.

A central stairwell wrapped with glass balustrades on the upper level — The central stairwell is wrapped with glass balustrades on the upper level

"Wherever possible, existing conditions are leveraged and transformed into opportunities for enhancement, resulting in a space that is highly functional and visually cohesive," said GH3*.

"Through subtle reconfiguration and refined detailing, the project achieves a rigorous, adaptable, and light-filled environment that elevates the spatial experience of the apartment."