Revolutionizing Space: How Evey Transformed a Classic Montreal Triplex Inside Out!

In the densely populated Hochelaga-Maisonneuve area of Montreal, Evey is situated next to a verdant alley, a place where Appareil Architecture notes the blend of daily life with the subtle undercurrents of urban existence. The firm took on the project with a vision to both renovate and extend an existing building that stands in line with others on the street.

In Montreal, the triplex—a building with three stacked units behind one front facade—is a familiar residential structure. These are typically built tightly alongside adjacent buildings on narrow plots, sharing a common wall. Any modifications to such structures must carefully consider this shared component.

Appareil Architecture’s strategy was not to overhaul the conventional triplex format but to refine the living experience it provides, according to associate architect Marc-Olivier Champagne-Thomas. The project encompassed both an extension and a renovation, but maintained the building’s external identity as a triplex. The transformation was primarily internal.

Champagne-Thomas emphasizes that the restraint shown in the project is a reflection of the location itself. He describes the project as a negotiation between private comfort and a subtle connection with the surrounding urban life. This ongoing balance, which he regards as the central theme of the project, is especially palpable in the alley next to the house— a place where personal and city life converge regularly.

Interior designer Esther Leduc explains that the layout inside Evey is orchestrated around a continuous axis along the party wall. This axis is pivotal in structuring and ensuring the unity of the entire project. Leduc highlights it as a quiet yet powerful organizer through which movement, visual connections, and spatial openness are neatly aligned. Features such as a staircase descending to the basement, a sequence of internal windows, and clear views linking the front to the rear of the house all adhere to this guiding line. According to Leduc, the design encourages movement through the space, as opposed to confining activities to isolated areas.