Bernier-Thibault house
on Plateau-Mont-Royal

A serene and bright dwelling crafted for everyday living and comfort

Via v2com

January 27, 2025

The Bernier-Thibault House is a remarkable residential renovation and expansion project designed by architect Paul Bernier, who has run his studio since 1999. This house exemplifies an innovative approach to contemporary architecture in an urban setting. The Bernier-Thibault House was awarded the Marcel-Parizeau Prize at the 2009 Ordre des Architectes du Québec Awards of Excellence.

Nestled in the heart of Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood, this residence was slated for a transformation to accommodate a family of four. The project aimed to add two new rooms, one for the parents and one for the children while rethinking the entire space to create harmony in spirit, form, and materials

The project aimed to add two new rooms, one for the parents and one for the children while rethinking the entire space to create harmony in spirit, form, and materials.

The goal was to design a bright and calming home, offering a breathable atmosphere tailored to the daily needs of its inhabitants. The first challenge lay in defining the volumetry of the expansion. The lot, unusually shaped for the neighbourhood, was located in a densely populated block without a back alley. Therefore, an ingenious solution was needed to expand the house despite regulatory constraints, while preserving the quality of the garden.

Another major challenge was to maximize the amount of natural light inside. Indeed, the existing facades that could accommodate windows were mainly northeast-facing, which required careful consideration of the layout of openings and the arrangement of interior spaces to optimize brightness.

Concept

The transformation of the house was realized by adding two sleek volumes in glass and wood, with similar dimensions. One was delicately placed on the roof, while the other found its place at the back of the garden, under the protective shade of a large maple tree. To create a visual connection with the exterior, an opening was made in the existing facade on the courtyard side, rebuilt in wood to harmoniously link the two new structures.

‘A major challenge was to maximize the amount of natural light inside.’

The volume added in the garden was transformed into a welcoming playroom, directly connected to the living spaces and generously opening onto the yard through large bay windows, like a pavilion nestled in the greenery. Its green roof allows it to blend into the landscape when viewed from the upper floors.

Perched on the roof, the second extension houses an intimate space reserved for the parents, while also acting as a skylight for the rest of the house. Its west-facing corner, entirely glazed, overlooks a bold vertical opening created in the original structure, allowing natural light to cascade down to the ground floor.

‘The volume added in the garden was transformed into a welcoming playroom, directly connected to the living spaces’

The interior layout was thoughtfully designed, incorporating sliding partitions, perforated screens, and strategic openings. This approach skillfully balances privacy and conviviality, creating spaces that are both distinct and interconnected, adaptable to the changing needs of family life.

The plan

The ground floor, the heart of family life, is arranged in a harmonious ‘L’ shape around the garden, which becomes a natural extension of the living space during the warmer months. This configuration creates a fluidity between the indoor and outdoor areas, inviting nature to participate in the family’s daily life. As a result, the house breathes and lives according to the movements of its inhabitants, offering a dynamic living environment that adapts to the changing needs of the family throughout the day.

On the second floor, the space dedicated to bedrooms offers a serene and airy atmosphere. The rooms open onto a cleverly designed hallway, like a wooden lattice that seems to float above the living room. This circulation is integrated into a double-height volume bathed in light, offering sweeping views of the garden and the green roof, thus creating a visual connection between the different levels of the house.

‘The ground floor, the heart of family life, is arranged in a harmonious ‘L’ shape around the garden, which becomes a natural extension of the living space during the warmer months.’

Finally, the third floor presents itself as a perched refuge, evoking a treehouse reserved for adults. This intimate space, entirely clad in wood, offers a breathtaking view of the city and the daily spectacle of the sunrise. It’s a place of retreat and contemplation, crowning the house with a unique space conducive to relaxation and reflection.

Space and Light

The house transforms with the rhythm of the day, offering a fluid and adaptable living experience. A large wall composed of sliding solid wood panels plays a central role in this daily metamorphosis. At night, it isolates the bedrooms, creating intimate cocoons. In the morning, these panels slide open to expand the space, flooding the bedrooms with light and spaciousness.

This opening allows the bedrooms to fully benefit from the double-height volume, bathed in generous light from the large bay windows on the third floor. Through the perforated wooden lattice floor, occupants can glimpse the living room below, creating a visual connection between levels.

The kitchen is strategically located at the junction of the two wings on the ground floor, at the heart of the house. A cleverly designed horizontal slot allows a view of the living room, garden, and playroom, placing the kitchen at the centre of family life.

Judicious openings and perforated screens have been integrated throughout, promoting the circulation of light and creating visual connections between different spaces. This approach not only optimizes natural lighting but also facilitates interactions between occupants while preserving the possibility of privacy when needed.

Space and flow

At the heart of the home, a majestic volume rises over three storeys, housing a staircase that reveals itself like a jewel in its setting. This structure, harmoniously blending steel and wood, becomes the focal point of a space bathed in natural light.

Ascending this staircase offers a unique sensory experience. Designed with a remarkable economy of means, it consists of a single central stringer, a minimalist handrail, and steps that seem to float in the air. The upper landing, made of openwork steel lattice, perfects this impression of lightness and transparency, allowing light to play through its gaps.

This streamlined design accentuates the sensation of an airy object, almost weightless, that dialogues with the surrounding light. The striking contrast between the cement plaster wall’s robustness and the steel’s fineness reinforces the impression of being both inside and outside. The abundant light that floods this vertical space creates a unique atmosphere, evoking the feeling of moving in a space open to the sky. The staircase becomes much more than a mere functional element. It transforms into a true livable sculpture, inviting a contemplative and sensory experience with each passage, and connecting the different levels of the house in a flow of light and space.

Outdoor space

The garden reveals itself as an urban oasis, nestled in the protective shade of trees. Framed by three buildings and a tall fence, this intimate outdoor space evokes a true open-air room, carpeted with greenery.

The walls form a living green setting. On the ground, a natural carpet harmoniously combines understory plants, sprinkled with river pebbles and punctuated by flat stones that guide steps towards an inviting outdoor shower.

This composition creates a refreshing microclimate, offering a welcome refuge from the summer heat. The abundance of plant surfaces plays a crucial role in the atmosphere of the place. They absorb city noises, creating a soothing sound cocoon. This natural barrier transforms the garden into a haven of peace, where the rustle of leaves replaces urban tumult. The garden thus metamorphoses into a true oasis in the heart of the city. It offers a space for relaxation and reconnection with nature, where time seems suspended, inviting contemplation and rejuvenation far from the city bustle.

Materials and Assemblies

In this dwelling, the choice of materials reflects a philosophy focused on simplicity, authenticity, and durability. Two main elements stand out in the interior design: oiled solid cherry wood and raw oxidized steel. These materials, both noble and accessible, perfectly embody the spirit of the project.

‘In this dwelling, the choice of materials reflects a philosophy focused on simplicity, authenticity, and durability.’

Cherry wood, a local species appreciated for its warm hue and fine grain, brings a touch of softness and naturalness to the space. Used in solid form, it testifies to a commitment to quality and longevity. The oil treatment, rather than a synthetic varnish, preserves the natural appearance of the wood while protecting it. This finish allows the cherry wood to age gracefully, developing over time a unique patina that tells the story of the house and its inhabitants.

Raw oxidized steel, for its part, brings a striking contrast to the warmth of the wood. Its textured surface and evolving colour create an interesting dialogue between the natural and the industrial. This material, left in its raw state, celebrates imperfection and the evolving nature of things. It fits perfectly into an approach of honest design, where materials are appreciated for their intrinsic qualities rather than hidden under artificial finishes.

‘The choice of these simple, accessible, and local materials is part of a responsible approach to interior design.’

The choice of these simple, accessible, and local materials is part of a responsible approach to interior design. By favouring resources available in the region, the project reduces its ecological footprint while supporting the local economy. This approach perfectly illustrates the concept of “quality without luxury,” where the emphasis is on the intrinsic value of materials rather than their rarity or cost. It’s a celebration of simple and lasting beauty, far from ephemeral trends and ostentatious luxury, offering a living environment that is aesthetic, comfortable, and in harmony with values of sustainability and authenticity.

About Paul Bernier, architect

Paul Bernier is a contemporary architect based in Montreal, Canada. He leads his architecture firm, Paul Bernier Architecte, founded in 1999. The firm specializes primarily in residential projects but also works on commercial and office projects.

Paul Bernier’s work is characterized by a strong emphasis on natural light and an inventive approach to spatial design. His projects focus on sustainable and ecological architecture, favouring the use of bio-based materials.

The firm designs projects in both urban and natural settings throughout Quebec. Among its notable achievements are single-family homes, cottages, renovations, and extensions. Paul Bernier’s projects have received numerous accolades and have been featured in publications both in Quebec and internationally.

Paul Bernier is recognized for his ability to harmoniously integrate contemporary architecture into various contexts. The Paul Bernier Architecte team pays great attention to detail and is actively involved in all phases of construction. In addition to architecture, the firm also designs custom furniture and lighting systems for its projects.

Images: Marc Cramer, Paul Bernier and Vittorio Viera

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