In this project, Montreal architecture/design/construction studio La Firme created a loft design that responds to both context and contemporary needs. The condo living space in a mid-19th century building in the heart of the city’s trendy Plateau Mont-Royal district has a varied history as a textile mill as well as a Campbell’s soup factory. The firm’s intervention reinvented Elmire as a modern living space, reflective of the passions of its occupants.
Loft Design is a Deliberate Balancing Act
In striking a balance between Elmire’s historical roots and its modern form, La Firme applied a design ethos focused on the careful preservation of the building’s original architecture. In the loft design, as much of the original structure as possible was left exposed, including massive fir timber beams, brick walls and structural arches that serve to delineate boundaries within the interior. Collectively, the retained elements serve as a counterbalance to La Firme’s infusion of more modern elements, characterized by white oak construction that serves to organize the space. Along with the white oak, stone accents complement the project’s relatively simple material palette.
Central to the design process, La Firme introduced extruded volumes within the empty layout in the form of multi-functional white oak building blocks that subtly frame the spaces. One houses the kitchen, while also creating concealment space for a laundry room, a water closet, and a coffee nook with its own stainless-steel counter and integrated sink. In addition to their role in defining the condo’s spaces, white oak cabinets also provide abundant additional storage.
A Future Built on the Past
“We were able to take a space steeped in history and to mold it into something that respects its past, but which also lays the groundwork for its future,” said Louis Béliveau, lead designer at La Firme. “Simultaneously, the design is informed by the personalities and lifestyles of the clients.”
Combining the clients’ passions for geology and the culinary arts, the kitchen design features a Labradorite granite countertop with a laser-cut bent stainless-steel counter, beautifully finished with white oak and Fenix panels. A slightly raised, split level living room reveals breathtaking views of nearby Mont Royal, with a pull-out guest bed cleverly concealed in a custom drawer to complement the room’s functionality.
“Our approach extends beyond aesthetics, with a focus on practicality woven into each design decision that we make,” said Béliveau. “For instance, the decision to use oak blocks was a response to our vision for creating a compressed entrance space that would unfold to reveal the grandeur of the interior.”
Beyond traditional, La Firme’s Elmire loft design is a thoughtful reimagining of space, history and modernity that raises the bar in terms of architectural renovation.
“Elmire stands as a testament to our design philosophy of projects informed by personality,” said Béliveau. “It also distinguishes itself as a model of how modern living can be fully integrated into Montreal’s rich historical fabric.”
