Location: Outremont, Qc
Type of project: Renovation + Addition
Year of completion: 2021
Original building: 1960
Surface area: 2400 ft2 / 223 m2
Photo credits: Doublespace Photography
Press Distribution: v2com

About MXMA Architecture & Design

MXMA is a detail-oriented, creative, and passionate architectural firm that develops exceptional concepts to realize its clients’ architectural dreams. The firm believes that it is possible to design contemporary, original, and personalized living environments that inspire people in their daily lives. In this context, MXMA is naturally drawn to ideas that spark curiosity and interest in the built environment.

Awards

The Prince Philip House received three nominations at the 15th edition of the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards, including two Gold certifications in the Private House and Special Awards / Architecture + Stairs categories, and a Silver certification in the Residential Building / Prestige House category.

An exterior shot showcasing the renovated front facade of the house.

An exterior shot capturing the distinctive and stylish design of the rear facade of the house, with its striking large windows and modern design elements.

A low-angle view of the rear facade of the Prince-Phillip House, showcasing its urban outdoor setting.

A close-up shot of the right wing of the house's rear facade during nighttime, highlighting its outdoor lawn and garden view. — A close-up shot of the right wing of the house’s rear facade during nighttime, highlighting its outdoor lawn and garden view.

A focused photo capturing the unique roof and wall exterior designs of the Prince-Phillip House.

A side angle view of the front facade of the house focusing on the second floor, which is set back to recall the proportions of the original house's overhanging roof and preserve a balanced presence on the street. — A side angle view of the front facade of the house focusing on the second floor, which is set back to recall the proportions of the original house’s overhanging roof and preserve a balanced presence on the street.

An interior shot of the living room in the Prince-Phillip House, highlighting its minimalist and sophisticated interior design elements.

A focused shot showcasing the unique design of the house's staircase, showcasing its elegant form and craftsmanship. — A focused shot showcasing the unique design of the house’s staircase, showcasing its elegant form and craftsmanship.

A side angle view of the design of the house's staircase. — A side angle view of the design of the house’s staircase.

An interior shot of the bedroom highlighting its expansive glass windows and the lush, verdant view of the surrounding plants and trees.

An interior shot of the bedroom with a focus on the pathway to the attached bathroom.

A photo captured from the bathroom with a focus on the open access to the bedroom area.

A photo highlighting the interior design of the bathroom and its expansive glass windows.

A focused shot showcasing the bathtub in the bathroom.

A Challenging Expansion

Westmount, Canada, 2023-02-07 – In 2021, MXMA Architecture & Design completed a renovation of the Prince Philip house, a typical 1960s house that had already been enhanced by a contemporary addition. The main challenge of this project was to blend the architectural languages of two different eras in order to create a coherent, elegant, and well-integrated ensemble in its environment.

Located on an exceptional site – a wooded lot of nearly 1,600 square metres (17,000 sq. ft.) – this home in the Outremont district is only minutes from downtown Montreal. The owners first renovated in 2012 when their family was growing. Nearly a decade later, as the children have grown, the family’s needs continue to evolve.

The parents wanted a quiet, private space of their own, while providing their three children with their own dedicated spaces. The project entrusted to MXMA consisted of adding a partial second storey to the residence in order to create a new wing for the parents, and to redefine the role of the existing rooms.

2012: left wing of the residence

Due to its volumetric space and materials, this first addition expressed a contemporary architectural language quite distinct from that of the original house. At the time, the architects created a two-storey addition at the back of the house to accommodate a large living room, a deck, and a gym. This new wing now has generous fenestration offering views of the yard, where a pool has been installed.

2021: renovation of the right wing and addition of another storey

For the second round of renovations, MXMA’s architects made use of the right wing of the house by adding a 93 m2 (1,000 ft2) storey to this new section.

“We wanted this second extension to respect the horizontality of the house and its modern character, while remaining as discreet as possible from a street level perspective,” explains architect Maxime Moreau.

In order to combine the new extension with the existing house, MXMA was inspired by the concept of a spiralling ribbon, originally developed in 2012. This continuity allowed for a thoughtful integration with the house.

Gaining volume with subdued elegance

The facade of the new volume is set back to respect the proportions of the roof overhang of the original house, as well as to avoid being overly imposing. Thanks to some structural gymnastics, this addition was recessed and blended into the original roof. From the outside, what appears to be a half-storey elevation is actually a volume that is 3m (10 ft) in height. Despite this increase in volume, no undesirable shadows encroach upon the immediate neighbors, ensuring a natural and respectful integration into the surrounding environment.

In order to achieve this integration, MXMA’s architects took inspiration from the materials and formal layout of the original house. For example, the new fenestration mirrors the shape of the house’s original narrow windows.

Open to nature

The more contemporary rear facade gains in volume, while also incorporating the idea of the ribbon developed during the first renovations. Like its counterpart in the left wing, it has large windows at canopy level. Upstairs, from the primary suite, the urban landscape is invisible, giving the owners the impression of living in a “tree house,” far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The first floor of the new wing now houses bedrooms for the couple’s three teenagers. They enjoy more space than before and have two bathrooms, one for the two girls and one for the boy. A large, sliding door provides private access to “their wing, their apartments.”

Light as a guiding principle

The expansion was also an opportunity to re-evaluate the vertical circulation in the house. The original staircase, which linked the central part of the house, the garden level, and the bedroom wing, was dark and narrow.

The new staircase now unfolds like a continuous ribbon of steel in a brighter space thanks to increased focus on light that permeates the first-floor openings. It is also notable for its open structure and slightly asymmetrical shape.

“Renovating is a way to make your home your own so that it resembles you and your interests,” says the owner, an architecture enthusiast. “The result still feels like an extended honeymoon. Walking up the stairs to my room is like entering a sanctuary. It’s a moment all my own.”