Share to
St-Gerard Residence
By : ISSADESIGN
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Residence / Residential Space 1,600 - 5,400 sq.ft. (150 - 500 sq.m.) : Gold Certification
Faced with the challenge of designing houses in compact urban contexts that do not allow for great variation in plan, the ISSADESIGN agency has experimented and offers a single-family house spread over several levels. The objective was to break free from the traditional partitioned floors by playing on staggered floors and half-levels. This approach makes it possible to create large open rooms offering an interesting perspective between the various floors and a great feeling of volume and space.
Located in the heart of the Villeray district in Montreal, the St-Gérard project takes up the architectural codes of the constructions of the district due to the conservation of the original front facade. For its part, the rear facade of the house was demolished to make way for an extension intended to be composed of half-storeys. This elevation has improved the use of space. For families, it is interesting to incorporate an architecture playing with levels, because it reduces the probability of noise spreading between rooms and allows greater privacy between users.
Regarding the distribution of living spaces between the landings, everything has been distributed according to the degrees of privacy attributed to them. The first and second levels are dedicated to the collective living spaces of the house. To this end, we find on the first level the entrance with an office space and the living room while the 2nd level brings together the more dynamic living spaces, namely the kitchen and the dining room. The basement offers 2 bedrooms with a shared bathroom. This floor grants a certain privacy for teenagers. When the user goes to the upper floors, they will discover on the 3rd floor a large bedroom with its bathroom and a laundry room. The walk ends at landing 4. This floor is more intimate, being dedicated to the master suite. In addition, the house plays and unfolds all in verticality. The staircase is articulated and acts as the backbone of the house, thus allowing to unite, while dividing the living areas.
In terms of materiality, the search for simplicity and uniformity of materials is expressed throughout the entire project. ISSADESIGN was keen not to obstruct the visual flow between floors. The firm then opted for glass railings for the landings and stairs. Result: a bright house where the gaze and the light circulate freely. The house aims to be simple in its materials, but astonishing in its contrasts playing with the classic black and white. However, the whole thing is calmed down and warmed up by the use of wood. The master bedroom, located on the last landing, represents this duality well. Open to the bedroom, the bathroom stands out with its marked contrast, acting as a shelter – a place of collection. It faces the bedroom, wanting to be a space wrapped in wood, thus bringing a more restful aspect, and a link to nature. The integration of wood was self-evident to enrich the materiality: being a natural material present in the immediate environment, it is intended to reflect the northern Quebec landscape and adds its familiar touch of warmth.
To conclude, the St-Gérard residence is a project where vertical space exploration has been, to say the least, a great source of challenge and a highlighting of the importance of the architectural journey as well as the relationship between spaces within a townhouse.
Collaboration
