Change from within

This new home contributes to a rejuvenation – or renovation – of the neighbourhood. The street facade is in tune with the existing urban narrative yet the home opens up at the back, offering all the advantages of a relaxed, open-to-the-outdoors residential dwelling

Modern brickwork in proportion to the bricks on

An outdoor barbecue area is sheltered by the

The perimeter kitchen counter naturally flows out onto

The timber step, riserless staircase is nothing short

Wood and white make the perfect companions –

Rear window – the large window and modern

The new home's front steps are very much

Pared back concrete steps at the rear have

Designed by Architecture Microclimat

From the architects:

Renewed typology

Montreal’s residential neighbourhoods, densely sowed throughout the 20th century, are interspersed with tiny homes, strewn here and there in the urban landscape.

When these buildings are left behind and go on sale, they offer architects a new playground to explore their work, to find creative ways to integrate a contemporary lifestyle in more traditional streets at the heart of the city.

The owners, a couple with two children, noticed this abandoned property on 1st Avenue. Facing a neighbourhood park, an area prized for its green spaces and tight-knit community, it was the perfect setting for a new build.

With its anthracite-coloured brick facade and discrete openings – including a slightly elevated double entrance that allows natural light to brighten up a lower-level rental unit and create a modulated yard – the new home coolly inserts itself into the neighbourhood.

Continuous surfaces

As you step foot through the door, your eye is drawn to the back of the home, where the kitchen and living spaces extend outside thanks to impressive windows that frame the backyard.

A kitchen counter naturally flows onto the terrace, visually and concretely uniting the two spaces. Cantilever overhangs in white parging (similar to stucco) shelter the counter from the elements throughout the seasons and offer a signature look to the back of the building.

The fluid transition from one space to the next continues throughout the home with a double height open space.

United by a central wooden stairway and glass railing, this invites even more natural light into the home.

The white walls and ceilings, as well as the polished concrete floors brighten up the space.

At the same time, the wood panelling on the stairway adds warmth to the minimalist design, and draws the eye up the stairs to the bedrooms.

The modern home inserts itself respectfully within the traditional neighbourhood that welcomes it.

The architects’ work reflects a movement to artfully transform the residential landscape, a devotedness to make the most of open space and natural light.

As such, the 1st Avenue home is at one with the surroundings, rather than being closed off on itself against the sun, rain, wind, and snow.

These elements are always present, but here they are better controlled.