Maison Ave Courcelette, Montréal / Salem Architecture

Project: Maison Ave Courcelette
Architect: Salem Architecture
Project team: Jad Salem, Krystell Bacon
Collaboration / interior finishings and furniture selection: Atelier Chardonnat
Structural engineer: Latéral
General Contractor: Circa Construction / Geneviève Guertin
Lighting: Environnement Électronique
Kitchen: Steam
Steel: Projet Acier Montréal
Cabinetmaker: Ébénisterie St-Vincent
Location: Outremont, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Project end date: 2020
Photographer: Phil Bernard

The main intention of the Maison Ave Courcelette project, located in the Outremont borough, was to improve the relationship of the interior spaces with the large exterior courtyard while highlighting elements dating from the original construction.

The living space has been generously opened to the outside so that the kitchen can be extended under a new canopy on the rear facade facing south. This canopy has a dual function as it reduces solar gain in summer while allowing occupants to enjoy a covered space. The new openings in the existing walls allow natural light to also diffuse into the central space of the house. The fluidity of the ground floor plan is enhanced by this light as well as by the sculptural articulation of the staircase in the center of the residence.

The landscaping, in separate areas, offers owners the opportunity to enjoy the backyard while having a variety of experiences and atmospheres. An exterior sunken living room, covered with a retractable awning, allows the family to enjoy a warm space and offers a different perspective on the courtyard and on the many mature trees around the perimeter of the site.

Enhancement of original elements
The architect, Jad Salem, along with the owner, paid particular attention to ensuring that the transformation of the residence is respectful of its original character. Thus, each intervention has been done in such a way as to highlight certain details dating from the initial construction of the house, in 1947. The new arched openings follow the same configurations as the existing ones. The railing of the central staircase has been treated in a minimalist way in order to direct attention to the curves around the staircase as well as the rounded openings in the ceiling. The original wood floor, which incorporated careful details, has been maintained in some rooms and a precise arrangement of the colors of the new floor ensures a harmonization between the new and the existing finish.

The new cladding, on a portion of the rear facade, is soberly juxtaposed to the original stone of the house, using fine wooden elements laid vertically. These same elements are used to serve as an openwork sidewall to offer privacy from neighbors while allowing light and vegetation to filter through.

The stones of the facade, which were replaced by the new sliding glass doors, were also kept so that they could be installed in a possible extension of the house.