Proud hearted

Renovated by MU Architecture

From the architects:

Completed in 1964, this residence located in the heart of one of Montreal's upper class boroughs was originally designed by architect Pierre Cantin and has now been completely renovated to give it new elegance.

Embellished with woodwork panels, the rich hues of the ground floor contrast with the light of the second floor and its mezzanine atrium.

The property was completely stripped down to make room for lighter, larger and brighter spaces.

Redesigned for a young family, this vast residence of nearly 929m² now offers openly connected rooms and optimised spatial fluidity.

The atrium, a true centrepiece, reveals a double staircase leading to the mezzanine, which overlooks a bar area with a fireplace adjoining the living room.

The kitchen and dining room are fully glazed and lead to a large landscaped courtyard with a swimming pool.

Adjacent to the large, linear kitchen, an extension of the cabinetry conceals storage and access to the garage in the basement.

A comfortable dinette area and its access to a private terrace face the street above the garage.

Upstairs, the mezzanine lounge room hosts a fireplace, a hidden television, and a huge double-storey glass wall that offers a view of Montreal. A large playroom, three children's bedrooms, and two bathrooms complete this level.

The lower floor has, among other things, two guest bedrooms, a workout area, a workshop, and a double garage.

A majestic atrium

Very special attention was given to the Grand Hall. From the imposing roof projections outside of the double-storey vestibule, the entrance sequence of this residence is an architectural journey in itself.

As you enter the atrium, art pieces and large walnut woodwork panelling peacefully bring a sense of human scale to the rather intimidating space.

The upper walls of this double-height volume extend into white surfaces and accentuate the impression of space.

A light yet imposing contemporary chandelier descends from the ceiling – its structure evoking a form of framework – and hangs in the centre of the space.

Formerly loaded with heavy steel handrails, the double staircases now feature minimalistic glass railings that contribute to the lightness of the place.

Specific attention to detail was necessary in the positioning of the numerous wood panels that frame the stairs in order to give a gallery look to the space.

From the split-level landing of the stairs, a large solid walnut door-wall conceals the master suite which includes a bedroom, a walk-in closet, and a fully glazed master bathroom overlooking the courtyard.

Technical challenge

A true avant-garde design in the 1960s, the residence had a state-of-the-art central ventilation system and even had a radiant exterior entrance staircase.

The structure also presented its share of complexity with inverted beams and steel entanglements. The vast double-height atrium also supports a complex triangulated-shaped roof made entirely of mill floors.

At the time of original designing, the architect had done an extraordinary job of integrating all the mechanical components in a very subtle way.

With the interior opened up to create free plans and larger living spaces, hiding this vast ventilation system adapted to the new standards was a colossal task.

Structural contortions also had to be made to modify the mezzanine and open up the living areas.

Preserving the spirit of the house

With its noble materials, its wooden slatted partitions, its latticed ceilings, and its large wood panelling, the contemporary style of the renovation evokes the style of some of the great international hotels.

The design was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Heritage and the City of Montreal to preserve and beautify, both inside and out, this listed residence.

This major and very atypical renovation brought together around twenty professional consultants, engineers, and construction specialists under the direction of MU.

Designed by: MU Architecture

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Stéphane Groleau Photographe