At the northern edge of the Old Montreal neighborhood—where 17th-century Gothic churches juxtapose shiny developments in the nearby downtown—architect Christine Djerrahian reimagined an industrial loft as a serene home for her family of three. The founder and principal of Montreal-based Future Simple Studio sidelined suburban conventions about the workings of a family unit to create the residence in late 2020.

Christine, who lived in New York City before returning to Montreal and establishing her firm in 2018, has worked for the likes of Louis Vuitton and Equinox, in addition to a string of residential projects in Montreal. But when it came to designing her own home, the architect saw an opportunity to take risks. She looked at the play of light and shadow in the 1,850-square-foot dwelling and decided to design an open-concept layout.

“It really came from a love of the building—there was a very honest and pure industrial feeling,” explains Christine. “I was pregnant and I knew I had to address the needs of our growing family. But at the same time, I couldn’t bring myself to build a [defined] room—it felt like robbing the space of a window.”

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When Christine designed the open plan for the residence, she set up a guiding principle. “I thought, What if I established a rule where the windows had to be positioned in the open spaces, and the rooms couldn’t take any of them?” she says. “That led me to reimagine what a bedroom needs to look like.”

To realize her vision for the bedrooms, the architect built two wood-and-glass structures at the center of the loft, in addition to one that flanks the periphery. The glazed frames are made from cost-effective Russian plywood with a rich walnut veneer. The panes feature automated, two-layered blinds—one with 30 percent transparency and the other blackout—which allows for privacy and light to be altered throughout the day.

“We really love that moment in the morning when we put the blinds up; it feels almost like a ritual,” says Christine. “The curtain opens and it allows you to appreciate [the space] in such a different way.” The glulam structures can also be expanded to afford sustainable options for a growing family.

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Throughout the family’s living space, Christine played with notions of openness and closeness. Small nooks are peppered around the periphery; the outer wall of the principal bedroom features a small office space, while another area is reserved for meditation and yoga. Meanwhile, the bathroom offers a cave-like oasis, with 48-by-48-inch gray Azuma tiles by Imola and a custom-mosaic Roman tub—as well as a concrete sink and counter designed by Future Simple Studio and crafted locally by Balux.

In the kitchen, Christine also carefully considered luminescence. “We wanted it to be light—that was important,” explains the architect. “The kitchen is the farthest from the windows. That’s where the white cabinetry comes from.” The centerpiece of the kitchen is a nine-foot-long island—a leathered black mist granite from Ceragres, based in Quebec.

With its flowing grain and rounded edges, the kitchen island greets visitors into the space while also directing the eye toward the loft’s large windows. “The play with transparency—there is such a benefit there,” Christine says. “My toddler feels comfortable when I’m sitting at the dining room table. He loves to see me and know I am there.”

The project, which Christine completed in September 2020, affords the family an interior space that is uniquely their own. “If I allow myself to imagine, it’s almost like these rooms are our own tree houses or private alcoves,” Christine states. “Seeing the way the light moves through the space—above and beyond our interactions—that feels like a success to me.”

Related Reading:

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Christine Djerrahian, Future Simple Studio / @futuresimplestudio

Builder/Contractor: Construction Père and Fils

Interior Design: Future Simple Studio / @futuresimplestudio

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Stil Design / @stildesignmtl

Millwork: Yannic Ryan, F&Y Design / @fnymtl

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A Montreal Architect Converts a 1901 Loft Into an Open-Plan Family Home Filled With Sunlight