Pied-de-vent Residence by APPAREIL architecture
In Québec, Canada, APPAREIL architecture redesigned a house to create a luminous, contemporary residence for a growing family. The studio retained the existing structure, transforming it into a serene living space with strategic skylights and open-plan interiors.
Retaining the Existing Structure
APPAREIL architecture redesigned a home in Québec, Canada, transforming a catalog house into a bright and contemporary residence. Located in a residential neighborhood of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, the project meets the changing needs of a growing family.
“The Appareil team saw the potential of our house just as we did. Of all the architecture firms we met with, they were the only ones who didn’t suggest tearing everything down and starting from scratch,” said the owners of Pied-de-vent residence.
Prioritizing Natural Light
Built without a garage, the house now features an integrated double garage, alongside the addition of an open plan, shared living areas on the ground floor.
“The layout follows an open plan where living areas flow into each other and benefit from abundant natural light. The new staircase has been relocated to the front of the house, creating a discrete and elegant transition between levels while naturally separating the interior from the street,” said Esther Leduc, interior designer at APPAREIL architecture.
This new configuration seeks to make a stronger connection to the backyard, which the studio added in addition to the relocation of a previously central staircase to the front of the house.
Light circulates throughout the home as a result of strategic openings in the residence’s facade, with the architects positioning skylights and side windows to maximise natural light while retaining some privacy for the homeowners.
According to the designers, this was an important consideration as a result of the home’s proximity to the street and neighboring properties.
“The front façade is almost blind, shielding the interior from prying eyes. By preservingthe skylight above the original staircase, light continues to pour into the heart of the home across all levels,” added Olive Deschênes, interior designer at APPAREIL architecture.
The studio employed roof openings that take inspiration from the imagery of the house’s namesake — rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds — creating a space that the studio said is luminous and serene.
Built-in Furniture
The architecture plays with the contrast between voids and solids to reinforce the feeling of spaciousness and lightness. The void left by the old staircase is counterbalanced by asolid block of millwork that conceals a powder room and entry storage.
“We dreamed of a simple, airy, soft, and light-filled environment where we could enjoy precious moments with family and friends,” commented the owners of the residence.
APPAREIL architecture prioritised a restrained material palette akin to that of the home’s interior for the character of the renovated home, encasing its exterior in textured wooden boards that offer a light appearance to the structure in line with the double garage.
Some built-in furniture is woven into the rebuilt central staircase, including storage columns and cabinets, as well as a custom-designed headboard in the primary bedroom.
Photography by FelixMichaud
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