Victoria is a minimal home located in Montreal, Canada, designed by mitchell sweibel studio. A Victorian-era banister, its wooden curves worn smooth by generations of passing hands, stands as both sentinel and bridge in this Montreal home – connecting not just floors, but epochs. This preserved architectural element serves as our entry point into understanding how Henri Cleinge Architect’s renovation navigates the delicate balance between heritage and contemporary living in Westmount’s historic fabric. The project’s approach to preservation is remarkably nuanced. Rather than pursuing a purely preservationist stance or complete modernization, the architects chose a third path: using the original staircase as an architectural fulcrum around which to pivot between past and present.
This strategy echoes the philosophy of Carlo Scarpa, who famously argued that successful renovation requires finding “the precise point of balance between old and new.” The home’s spatial organization reveals a sophisticated understanding of contemporary domestic life. The ground floor’s enfilade arrangement – a classical planning device typically associated with formal, ceremonial spaces – has been cleverly repurposed to serve modern family life. The thickened walls that connect these spaces perform multiple functions: housing storage and mechanical systems while creating subtle transitions between spaces. This multi-functional approach to architectural elements reflects a growing trend in residential design where infrastructure and living space are increasingly integrated. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the renovation is its treatment of threshold spaces.
The second-floor office entrance, carved through existing walls, creates what architectural theorist Juhani Pallasmaa might call a “horizon of anticipation” – a moment of architectural poetry that transforms a simple opening into an invitation for discovery. Similarly, the master bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling entrance establishes a clear spatial hierarchy while maintaining privacy through careful choreography of sight lines. The material palette speaks to both durability and sensory richness. Plaster walls and walnut furniture in the kitchen create a warm, tactile environment that feels both contemporary and timeless. The use of micro cement and low-relief tile in the bathrooms demonstrates an understanding of how material scale can create visual interest while maintaining cohesion. These choices reflect what Glenn Adamson terms “material intelligence” – the thoughtful application of materials that considers both their practical and experiential qualities.
