Evey: Redefining Living Spaces in a Montreal Triplex
A renovation that subtly transforms living conditions while preserving urban identity.
1Context and Location
Evey is located in Montreal's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood, adjacent to a green alley where daily life intersects with urban discreetness. The project by Appareil Architecture involves renovating and extending one of the existing triplex buildings, a common housing type in Montreal characterized by three stacked units behind a shared facade.
2Architectural Approach
Appareil Architecture did not aim to rethink the triplex typology but to subtly reorient its living conditions. Associate architect Marc-Olivier Champagne-Thomas emphasized balancing intimacy with openness to the urban context. The renovation maintains the building's outward identity as a triplex, focusing on internal transformations.
3Design Philosophy
The project revolves around negotiating the duality between private living spaces and the surrounding urban environment. Champagne-Thomas describes this tension as the guiding thread of the renovation. The adjacent alley serves as a daily test of this balance, where residents' routines meet the broader city life.
4Spatial Organization
Interior designer Esther Leduc explains that the spatial organization is based on a continuous line along the party wall, structuring the entire project. This axis aligns circulation paths, visual openings, and moments of openness, creating a cohesive flow rather than compartmentalized spaces.
5Key Features
The design includes a staircase to the basement, interior windows, and a sightline connecting the front and back of the house. These elements follow the central axis, emphasizing movement and visual continuity. Leduc describes the house as built to be traversed, not divided.
6Material and Aesthetic Choices
Photography by Félix Michaud highlights the restrained material palette and clean lines that define the renovation. The design respects the triplex's original character while introducing modern elements that enhance functionality and aesthetic appeal.
7Urban Integration
The project subtly integrates the triplex into its urban context without overtly altering its exterior. The renovation's success lies in its ability to enhance living conditions while preserving the building's identity and relationship with the neighborhood.
8Impact and Significance
Evey demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform familiar housing typologies without erasing their urban identity. The project sets a precedent for balancing renovation with preservation, offering a model for similar urban housing projects in dense neighborhoods.