LeJeune Residence Montreal by Architecture Open Form

Architecture Open Form is responsible for the makeover of an 1890 residence in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, a Borough in Montreal, Canada. Finding a charming compromise between the municipal building restrictions and the client's vision.



The gentrification of the old working class neighbourhood of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal in Montreal began in 1980 due to its bohemian feel and proximity to McGill University; now it's one of the most popular suburbs in this Canadian city.





This is the backdrop for LeJeune Residence, designed by Architecture Open Form. The original residence was home to stable boys at the turn of the century and it was in an advanced state of disrepair. The architects reconfigured the interiors to meet the needs of the owners who live a minimalist lifestyle and wanted a contemporary design, and at the same time they complied with the borough's by-laws concerning the wooden exterior. They did all of this with an eye to sustainability and without compromising the original character of the historical building. 



The facade was a core element of the makeover by architect Maxime Moreau. The mid-20th century metal cladding was removed and the original wooden boards were returned, in compliance with current building regulations. The architect opted to stain the architectural components black to underscore the desire for change and to give the building a new start.





The 77-square metre interiors were created with Christian Bélanger Design and were revamped to make the spaces as flexible and usable as possible. The interior walls were knocked down to bring in natural light and directly engage with the rear garden, which is a real extension of the living zone for use in the warmer months.





LeJeune Residence by Architecture Open Form is the prefect combination of the existing building and contemporary architecture - all respectfully considering the urban environs.

Christiane Bürklein

Project: Architecture Open Form
Location: Montreal, Canada
Year: 2013 
Photograohy: Adrien Williams - thanks to v2com