Canadian firm Studio Practice has redesigned the interior of an apartment located in the iconic Habitat 67, designed by Moshe Safdie in 1967. Located in Montreal, Canada, the apartment building has remained to this day a landmark, recognizable for its unique design.
Image © Adrien Williams
The building features stacked apartments that allow each tenant to have a one-of-a-kind layout while sharing a garden terrace with an adjoining tenant. All the units share a panoramic view of the city skyline across the St-Lawrence River below.
Image © Gorgin Fazli
The main goal of the project was to refurbish a unit that had been remodelled many times in the past, resulting in views obstructed by opaque interior partitions. Studio Practice faced the challenge of restoring the panoramic views and bring natural light in, without compromising the interior layout.
Image © Adrien Williams
Image © Adrien Williams
The minimalist design of the apartment was achieved by removing all interior walls. The original concrete walls were beautifully contrasted by glass panels and high gloss furniture.
Image © Adrien Williams
The entrance is done through the mezzanine where the living room is situated. A suspended bridge with glass railing gives a glimpse of the downstairs. The raw concrete peaks through the ceiling contrasting against the white walls and panoramic views of the city.
Image © Adrien Williams
An open riser staircase connects the mezzanine to the level below where the kitchen, master suite and private garden are located.
Image © Adrien Williams
The black and white high gloss kitchen carries through the minimalist aesthetic, featuring a vivid yellow counter-top as the only pop of colour in the space. The kitchen offers direct access to the private terrace.
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- Image © Adrien Williams
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- Image © Adrien Williams
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- Image © Adrien Williams
The master suite has been completely open, with the shower area connecting to the bedroom through glass panels. Built-in white cabinet units run along the length of the space keeping everything functional and organized.
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- Image © Adrien Williams
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- Image © Adrien Williams
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- Image © Adrien Williams
The apartment gives the impression of being part of a series of moving cubes, evoking the flow of the river that runs beside this modern day version of hanging gardens.
Image © Studio Practice
Integrating the qualities of an individual home and garden into an urban high-rise, through a medium of prefabricated cubes was a revolutionary concept that rethought the apartment building concept in 1967.
Image © Gorgin Fazli
Facts:
Design: Marie-Pierre Auger Bellavance, Studio Practice
Location: Montreal, Canada
Lighting Designer: Gorgin S. Fazli, Studio Practice
Project Year: 2015
Photographs: Adrien Williams & Gorgin S. Fazli
*All images and information courtesy of v2com.
