1st Avenue Residence
located in Rosemont
A modern home respectfully inserts itself within a traditional Montreal neighbourhood
Via v2com
Previously published May 13, 2017
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 abandoned and go on sale, they offer architects a new playground to explore their work, to find creative ways to integrate a contemporary lifestyle into more traditional streets in the heart of the city.
The clients, a couple with two young children, noticed this abandoned property on 1st Avenue. Facing a neighbourhood park in Rosemont, 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, shelter the counter from the elements throughout the seasons and offer a signature look to the back of the building.
The architects’ work reflects a movement to artfully transform the residential landscape…
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, it invites even more natural light into the home. The white walls and ceilings, as well as the polished concrete floors brighten up the space, whereas 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 respectfully inserts itself within the traditional Montreal 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 one with the exterior, rather than being closed off on itself against the sun, rain, wind, and snow – ever present, but better controlled.
The modern home respectfully inserts itself within the traditional Montreal neighbourhood that welcomes it.
Data Sheet
Architect: Architecture Microclimat
Structural engineer: Geniex
General contractor: Microclimat architecture et construction
Square footage: 3900 SF
Project end date: 2016
Photographer: Adrien Williams
Architecture Microclimat
Established in 2013, Microclimat is a young firm that takes pride in promoting designs built on the cohabitation of architecture and its surrounding environment. Showcased in the July 2016 issue of Canadian Architect on young emerging firms, Microclimat was also honoured with the New Talent award at the 2017 Montreal Grands Prix du Design awards.
Images : Adrien Williams
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