Construction completion: 2020

Architecture team: Paul Bernier, Luc-Olivier Daigle, Évelyne St-Jacques

Structural engineer: Zarrabi et associés

General contractor: Construction Libersan

Cabinetmaker: La Clé de Voute

Concrete: Atelier B

Photos: Raphaël Thibodeau

Press Distribution: v2com

About Us

Paul Bernier Architect is a contemporary architecture firm founded in Montreal in 1999.

The firm’s work is characterized by an emphasis on natural light and an inventive and contemporary approach to the treatment of space. They also take great care in the selection and assembly of materials. Attention to detail is at the heart of the firm’s design practice.

This is the simple foyer upon entry of the glass main door topped with a set of modern decorative chandelier.

On the side of the foyer is the built-in concrete console table topped with a mirror.

This provides a small alcove at the foot of the stairs that provide an area for shoe storage.

This is a closer look at the alcove by the foyer and the stairs.

This is a closer look at the concrete steps of the stairs contrasted by the bright walls.

This is a look down the stairs from the vantage of the landing that has a hardwood flooring.

The wooden elements of the wall and the landing pair well with the gray concrete steps.

The steps of the stairs are supported by the banisters and walls on its sides.

This is a hallway within the house that has wooden walls on the sides brightened by the bright ceiling and pillars.

The living room has a large black TV frame across from the black leather sofa that stands out against the light hardwood flooring.

This is a view of the great room that houses the living room, dining area and kitchen area.

This is a close look at the dining area with a large white rectangular table topped with a simple chandelier that matches the foyer's.

The white dining chair is surrounded by the wooden dining chairs topped with a modern chandelier.

Next to the dining table is the large wooden paneled wall that matches the floor.

The kitchen has a large black kitchen island that stands out against the hardwood flooring.

The black appliances stand out against the white cabinetry lining the walls.

This is a close look at the kitchen island and its three black kitchen stools.

This is a close look at the kitchen island with a black countertop that stands out against the bright walls and ceiling.

The bathroom has wooden walls and door that matches the tone of the floor.

The top of the wooden structure has a modern lighting.

This is a corner library with a round white modern table next to a built-in modern shelf.

The open door of the bathroom shows the vanity has the same wooden tone as the walls outside.

Next to the floating wooden vanity is the toilet, followed by the shower area.

The glass-enclosed shower area has a thin window that brings in natural lighting.

This is a close view of the floating shelf that has a wooden tone to contrast the light wall.

This other bathroom has dark tiles on its lower half of the walls contrasted by the white sink, walls and bathtub.

The bathtub is inside a glass-enclosed wet area.

This is a look at the floating wooden vanity of the bathroom topped with a large mirror.

The vanity of the bathroom has bright walls and modern lighting.

The house also has a balcony terrace topped with a set of trellises.

This is the illustration of the cross section of the house elevation.

This is an illustration of the first level floor plan of the house.

This is an illustration of the upper level floor plan of the house.

In this detached duplex of the Rosemont district, the owners wanted to transform the ground floor and the semi-basement to make it their home. The second floor was preserved for their tenant.

A garden was also to be laid out all around the building as well as a terrace in the back, connected to the living area.

Space and Light

The architects first sought to reorganize the partitions to obtain fluid circulations and spaces that are well-proportioned, clean, and uncluttered.

Several new openings have been made in the exterior walls to illuminate the space at any time of the day. They also opened the floor to create a large double-height space for the new staircase, thus reinforcing an impression of continuity between the two levels. A large piece of satin glass between the office and the stair allows these spaces to benefit from the light coming from the neighboring space while ensuring privacy.

The lighting has also been thought of from a functional point of view but also for the ambiance it can create and also for the beauty of the object itself in space.

For this project, the architects have designed several elements of integrated furniture that meet the needs of the clients in their daily activities. The built-in furniture also acts as a partition and defines the space.

Materiality

Great care is taken in detail and in the choice of materials. In this project, white oak, polished concrete, and white or anthracite lacquered panels are the main materials used.

Continuity of materials throughout the house also contributes to an impression of fluidity between the spaces. The woodblock, made with white oak panels, which borders the corridor on the ground floor, turns into the living room and becomes a service cabinet for the dining table. Likewise, the white lacquered panels of the built-in kitchen furniture become the covering material of the staircase walls and descend to the basement.

Other materials are added to the palette of the project, such as the brass lighting fixtures or the Bianco Carrara marble mosaic that covers the surfaces of the bathroom on the ground floor.

Polished concrete is also found in several places in the project. It is used as a slab poured on-site but also as elements cast and polished in the workshop to make wall panels as well as steps and stair landings.

In the basement bathroom, these polished concrete wall panels are also used, as if the floor were rising on the walls. The bathroom is visually split in two: the concrete dry area with its white oak vanity, and the wet area covered with small white ceramic tiles.