# Modern Montreal Duplex Houses Assemblage Studio Has Completed the Lilac House By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-02-24 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lilac-house References: [v2com-newswire](https://www.v2com-newswire.com/en/newsroom/categories/residential-architecture/press-kits/7798-01/the-lilac-house) Assemblage studio, founded by architect Claudia Campeau, has completed the Lilac House, a thoughtful renovation of her own Montreal duplex into a single-family home. The upgraded residence prioritizes adaptability, sustainability, and a deep connection to natural light and the surrounding neighborhood. The project demonstrates how a [narrow, constrained urban dwelling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casa-sofia) can be transformed into a flexible, luminous space capable of evolving with a family's needs over time without requiring major future renovations. A central staircase crowned by a curved skylight channels daylight deep into the home, while a large glazed rear opening connects living areas to a courtyard featuring a mature lilac tree and a pergola inspired by local Portuguese vine supports. Sustainability is woven throughout the Lilac House — from [preserving original brick and timber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/figuier-house) to crafting new elements from local materials with regional artisans. Image Credit: Maxime Brouillet ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 66% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Eco Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/ecoarchitecture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Adaptive Urban Interiors:** Flexible spatial layouts in narrow city homes enable long-lasting residences that can pivot between multi-generational living and compact family needs without full reconstruction. - **Daylit Vertical Circulation:** Central staircases topped with skylights demonstrate how integrated daylight strategies can replace artificial lighting and reshape occupant circulation and comfort patterns. - **Local Material Preservation:** Emphasizing reclaimed brick, timber and regionally crafted elements suggests a move toward supply chains that prioritize heritage materials and skilled local labor over mass-produced finishes. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Residential Architecture:** Design practices focused on adaptable, light-filled conversions present opportunities to redefine value in urban housing through longevity and contextual sensitivity. - **Urban Development:** Neighborhood-scale projects that retain mature greenery and human-scaled pergolas show potential for development models that balance density with community character. - **Building Materials and Prefabrication:** Demand for locally sourced, modular components made to complement existing structures indicates a shift toward material systems that simplify retrofits and reduce embodied carbon. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reimagined Postmodern Residence](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alder-house.md) - [Compact Sewing Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nouvelle-danse.md) - [Courtyard Connection Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studioac-2.md) - [Thoughtful Lakeside Home Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lakeside-living.md) - [Minimalist Semi-Detached Victorian Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/semidetached-victorian-residence.md) - [Contemporary Home Renovation Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/s-house.md) - [Family Cottage Revitalizations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/le-local-design.md) - [Contemporary Rural Dwellings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/south-bay-house.md) - [Artful Residential Renovation Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/house-da-vila.md)