Early Life & Philosophy
Atelier SUN is a Toronto-based multi-disciplinary design studio founded by Andrew Sun. Sun’s studio works at the intersection of architecture, interior design, and furniture, and places a high value on storytelling, materiality, spatial sequence, and the emotional impact of spaces. The studio draws from both Canadian and Asian design influences, aiming for designs that are familiar yet unexpected.
Notable Works
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The Courtyard House in East York, Toronto: a new detached house characterized by a central, double-height courtyard. It uses natural materials, generous windows/skylight, and integrates outdoor/indoor light and space in creative ways.
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Harty House, Ajax, Ontario: This is a renovation of an ordinary 1980s “builder home” into a calmer, more minimal, and more refined dwelling. The project incorporates wood millwork, clean spatial reorganizations, floating stairs, subtle finishes, and a careful handling of excessive structural elements in the original house to make them feel part of the design rather than impediments.
Significance & Style
Atelier SUN is part of a recent wave of design firms that focus on renovation / adaptive reuse, interior architecture, and bespoke residences. Their approach emphasizes craftsmanship, material detail, light, and transforming existing homes to better suit how people live now, rather than always building new. They are noted for aesthetic restraint, clarity of space, and sensitivity to context.
Why Buyers Should Inspect Any Home, Even Architect-Designed Ones
Even when a home has beautiful design, high end finishes, or comes from a well-known architect or design studio, there can still be hidden issues — with structure, wiring, plumbing, insulation, etc. Before buying any home, especially those with renovations or custom features, it's wise to get a professional home inspection in Ajax Ontario to uncover any problems that might be costly later. That protects your investment and ensures you’re getting not just beauty, but safety and functionality too.