Modernizing a Traditional Triplex Clad in Red Clay Brick
Atelier L’Abri renovates a home in a charming Montreal neighbourhood fit for a family of two generations.
Because this triplex in Montreal’s Petit Laurier neighbourhood would be lived in by two generations of the same family, Atelier L’Abri completely reconfigured the interiors to balance personal privacy, on one hand, with shared experiences, on the other. They kept the bathrooms and bedrooms of each unit modestly sized to create more space for shared environments and to keep those living spaces open, airy, and abundantly daylit. Set against a neutral backdrop, lighting from Lambert & Fils and Artemide along with furniture from Cassina, Noguchi, and Ethnicraft give the interiors contemporary character.
Atelier L’Abri, with Modular Construction, restored the building’s front façade, refreshing the artisanal red clay brick surfaces and updating the cornice. This ensured the house remained consistent and integrated with the neighbourhood. At the rear, the windows and balconies were expanded, bringing additional sunlight into the interiors and providing private outdoor spaces for each unit. The three-storey storage shed typical of this house type now has an elegant presence, clad in white corrugated sheet metal from Vicwest.
A custom raised planter doubles as a screen from the alley, framing a rear courtyard. Its deep burgundy colour resonates with the brick and with the back balconies.
Photography by Alex Lesage.
