Berri House is a small residential extension added to a centenary carriage house in Montreal’s coveted Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood, carried out by Canadian studio T B A, aka Thomas Balaban Architecte.
The 130 square meter home sits among small industrial buildings and brick duplexes that are part of the area’s rich architectural heritage. To preserve its urban character, heavy exceptions apply to architectural modifications — a challenge the studio faced in expanding Berri House’s footprint.
The solution was to create a floating extension that hovers over the precious outdoor space. Clad in reflective, galvanised panels and half-hidden behind the yard’s maple trees, it is a contemporary addition that subtly reduces visual clutter, leaving the neighbourhood’s urban palette undisturbed. “The floating extension on the second floor protects this precious outdoor space while adding the additional breathing room the young family required,” says the studio.
For the interiors, a palette of natural materials, rich textures and minimalist elements become the perfect backdrop to the family’s expansive art collection and contemporary furnishings and decor. Plywood is swapped for wallpaper, playing off the steel and metal accents and traditional wood beam ceilings to embrace a mid-century modern-meets-construction site aesthetic.
T B A was founded in 2009 by principal architect Thomas Balaban. The Montreal studio seeks out opportunities to challenge conventions and create better environments through memorable, engaging projects that respond to contemporary culture. Follow the studio’s Instagram.
Photography © Adrien Williams for T B A