Located in the heart of the dense urban fabric of the Plateau Mont-Royal, this single-family home underwent a complete renovation, respecting the existing structure while asserting a contemporary architectural expression.
The project developed around several key constraints: a tight schedule and budget, heritage requirements mandating the restoration of the original façade, composed of red brick lightened with Saint-Marc stone, as well as regulatory constraints, including the preservation of existing openings on façades visible from the alley to maintain acquired rights.
The intervention offers a discreet yet assertive reinterpretation of the local architectural heritage. At the rear, a large contemporary opening frames the vegetation and transforms the relationship between interior and exterior, bringing abundant natural light into the living spaces.
The programmatic organization is based on an inversion of conventional functions:
The sleeping areas are located on the ground floor, benefiting from the street’s calm atmosphere and an independent access.
The living spaces are situated on the upper floor, fully open, filled with natural light, and connected to a terrace, creating an intimate and luminous environment, sheltered from view.
The staircase, acting as the project’s backbone, becomes a key architectural element. It structures the internal circulation, ensures vertical connectivity between levels, and plays a central role in bringing natural light into the core of the house.
The project is completed by a rooftop extension that subtly contrasts with the existing volume. This addition reinforces the contemporary reading of the project without compromising the original architecture.
Inside, a minimalist material approach enhances the volumes, light, and circulation, expressed through a restrained and coherent design language.
