yh2 architecture studio builds new atelier in its office backyard in montreal

montreal based yh2 architecture studio renovated its new maison atelier, built in the backyard of its own previous project in montreal, canada. the maison tour, a three-story building that hosts a home/studio combination welcomes a second three-story atelier that is completely independent of the original.

the new maison atelier, completed in 2018, divides the yh2 offices on the ground floor from the living spaces on the upper floors. at steet level, the yh2 architecture studio comprises two minimalist spaces featuring white concrete floors, mahogany panelling, and furniture in patinated and raw steel.

with its own street level entrance, the dwelling space starts at the second floor and is completely separate from the office. this level includes the bedrooms and family room in a more cozy configuration. a lightweight structure in this level, made of patinated steel and glass, connects the two buildings without intruding in the small courtyard.

the atelier’s living spaces are on the top floor and provide unique views of urban rooftops and bring in ample light year-round. the living spaces boast expansive views of the cityscape due to large windows on three sides.

there is a large, glazed southwest-facing penthouse on the roof that provides natural lighting throughout the entire upper floor. inside this brightly lit space, the living/dining room are located on one side and the kitchen on the other. although they are open to each other, they are visually separated by a large raw concrete wall.

the metallic mesh staircase on this concrete wall runs through all levels, from the ground floor to the rooftop patio. it serves as a backbone for the building as well as a vertical passage that brings light from the penthouse along the house’s main circulation path.

minimal materials in a dark color palette include rough concrete, dark wooden floors and bookshelves, and steel elements throughout the design. a metallic mesh staircase running through all three floors connect the spaces, and ultimately lead guests to the rooftop. the rooftop features a protruding angular volume clad in corten steel panels, adding color to the area yet keeping with the raw material palette. the two patios are accessible from the penthouse, complementing the interior spaces and providing high-quality outdoor space, at once private and open to the city.

all built-in furnishings were custom-designed for the project: tables, bookcases, office storage, and furniture for the bathroom, kitchen, dining room and rooftop patio. collectively these pieces play an essential role in the architecture they are placed in. they link the structure with the objects using the same materials as the rest of the house.

the paired structures present a new urban residential/work model – an alternative to the traditional montreal typology, in which dwellings are stacked on top of one another. the two vertical houses organized around the century-old maple are a green oasis in the heart of the neighborhood.

project info:

location: montreal, canada

area: 2800 sq ft (260 sq meters)

construction period: 2016–2018

yh2 design team: marie-claude hamelin, loukas yiacouvakis, karl choquette, etienne sédillot

client: yh2

photographers: maxime brouillet and francis pelletier