ALEXANDRE BERNIER ARCHITECTE completed ShoeBox CHB as a renovation and vertical extension of a modest nineteenth-century row house in Montreal’s Petit Laurier district. This project demonstrates how constrained urban typologies can accommodate contemporary family life without sacrificing neighborhood character or architectural ambition.
The original front façade and primary volume of the row house remain entirely intact as ALEXANDRE BERNIER ARCHITECTE strived to preserve the rhythmic continuity of the street wall and allow the house to maintain its quiet, unassuming presence among its neighbors. The firm utilized satin-finished stainless steel, which was "selected for its reflective qualities and subdued expression," as a primary material for the upper level. The architects also paid attention to natural light as a potential organizing factor within the interior. At the rear, large openings erase the boundary between the kitchen, dining, and garden.
Modest Row House Projects
ALEXANDRE BERNIER ARCHITECTE Completes the ShoeBox CHB in Montreal
Trend Themes
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Vertical Infill Extensions — Enables substantial space gains on tight parcels through lightweight upper additions that challenge conventional zoning and delivery models.
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Material Contrast Preservation — Creates demand for subtle, reflective cladding solutions that allow contemporary interventions to coexist with historic façades.
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Light-driven Interior Planning — Positions natural light as the primary organizer of program, encouraging integrated glazing, shading, and spatial sequencing strategies.
Industry Implications
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Residential Architecture — Rising interest in sensitive row-house retrofits that retain street rhythm while adding modern living space suggests new design packages for compact-family housing.
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Construction Materials Manufacturing — Preference for satin-finished metals and high-performance glazing indicates market opportunity for bespoke, low-maintenance façade systems suited to heritage contexts.
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Urban Planning and Development — A focus on preserving neighborhood character amid incremental densification highlights the potential for revised zoning tools and developer models favoring vertical additions.