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Maison Berri
By : Architecture Microclimat
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Residential Building / Single-Family Home : Silver Certification
The Maison Berri project is located near Jean-Talon market in Villeray, on an exceptionally small Montreal lot offered little to no space for a front- or backyard.
In response to this challenge, two concepts were developed: a review of the ‘classic’ composition of the living spaces to situate them on the upper level, and the creation of an interior courtyard around which the house was designed. Moving the living room, kitchen and dining room upstairs offered, in part, more natural light to these living spaces all while offering some distance between the street level and the occupied rooms during daytime hours. This also allowed the integration of large windows without giving the impression of being exposed.
The property’s courtyard now runs from the inside of the building towards the alleyway. The inclusion of a porch, ties the exterior to central access to the home. Partially covered by the upstairs kitchen, it also remains partially free and open, creating a skylight of sorts at the center of the home - a glazed connection from the upstairs level all the way through the ground floor.
The composition of the facades fully assumes a contemporary language, yet is reminiscent of the more traditional aspects of Montreal’s patrimonial architecture. The horizontal bands of stone that both break and unite the facade, and the rows of vertical brick at the top all enrich the building’s composition. A monochrome application of lighter shades of beige and grey offers a softer touch.
Collaboration
General Contractor : Les Espaces Per/So
Engineering : GénieX Ingénierie
