After a Family’s Renovation Went Wrong, They Gave It Another Go—and Got It Right

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Project Details:

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Architect: L. McComber / @l.mccomber

Footprint: 1,495 square feet

Engineer: Pierre-Alexandre Rodrigue

Photographer: Ulysse Lemerise / @ulysse_lemerise

From the Architect: "The owners of this two-story triplex built in the 1920s had previously gotten a poorly designed and poorly built extension. Even though they were worn out after being forced to make multiple corrections to the structure, they ultimately went about a redesign so that the dwelling would meet their needs.

"The Mediterranean-style living room opens generously onto a large terrace on the same level, bathed in soft light filtered through a cedar pergola. By covering the existing extension with a warm and luminous white coating, the architects took the opportunity to improve the insulation and airtightness of the exterior walls. Space optimization allows each child to have their own bedroom at the front, adds a lot of storage in the center, and arranges the living area around the courtyard with its kitchen, dining room, and reading area.

"With a friendly wooden island in the center, a reading bench nestled in the corner, and built-in curvilinear bookcases, the space is now warm and inviting."