Sumit Singhal Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination.
Juliette aux combles by L. McComber ltée
February 20th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: L. McComber ltée
Juliette aux combles – Transforming an attic into a bookcase – “Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed.”
Subtraction
In approaching this project, we studied the composition of the existing building and identified multiple layers added to one another over time. These additions had compressed the living space since the original construction dating back to 1880. Inside the attic, we found that the current flat roof was built on top of a former sloped roof togetherreaching a thickness of over five feet which was mixed in with layers of tar. Through a subtraction process and by replacing the existing structure with new joists, we gained 5 feet of space, therefore making up a 13 foot height on the third floor. The space of the new master bedroom and artist studio gained in natural light with the integration of a ribbon window where the attic was.
Addition
The floor is organized around a small volume wrapped by hemlock shelves obtained through the careful deconstruction of the roof structure. The patina of the aged wood is preserved and highlighted by contrast as the surroundings are composed of abstract white surfaces. The shelves winding around the volume seem to protect a secret. This volume is sliced in two by a tempered glass roof, bringing natural light into the marble tiled shower.
Abstraction and texture
If the main intervention unfolds on the top floor, several situations were identified throughout the house as opportunities for small interventions. Although textures vary, a white paint finish is applied in order to preserve the original textures and the beauty of wooden structures while connecting their various expressions together.
A tailored living space
The changes introduced throughout the house support a contemporary family dynamic. By rethinking space distribution and by integrating moving partitions, the house can adapt to everyday needs with new areas dedicated to children and parents and with added possibilities in terms of privacy. This project puts forward an intervention, which, despite its small scale, expresses with strength and sensitivity the expression of a local architecture.
L. McComber – living architecture
Since 2005, L. McComber has been dedicated to designing unique concepts of varied scope and context. From designing built-in furnitures and interiors to multi-units dwelling and adapting existing buildings for residential, commercial or cultural purposes, our broad experience makes our success. We engage the specificity of each project and deliver a contemporary solution. As well-rounded practitioners, we have the ability to translate your ideas and the project constraints into a custom design while addressing all functional requirements. We use design as a strategic process to generate tailored welcoming spaces speaking to everyday needs. Our passion for the art of building is expressed in our sustainable, durable, energy-efficient solutions.
We work in close collaboration with experienced consultants, contractors, craftspeople and suppliers to ensure that each project will be a success. Using clear and detailed technical drawings, we specify the scope of a contract to better prepare the worksite, assure timely work completion and monitor construction costs. We have integrated advanced techniques in our process such as computer-assisted parametric drafting and digital fabrication to quickly respond to a constantly evolving demand.
Our work has been shown at the Maison de l’Architecture du Québec (Ô cloture, 2011) and at the Venice Biennale (Maison Nature with Encore Heureux, 2007). In 2009, the studio was the winner of the Ordre des architects du Quebec prix d’excellence en architecture for the project Lignes aériennes. Our designs have appeared in many newspapers and magazines locally and abroad.
Laurent McComber
Laurent graduated in 1999 from University of Montreal. Early on, he joins architecture firms of international stature such as Provencher Roy and Scéno Plus. In 2005, he founded his own studio providing a design build service. Until 2012, L. McComber provided an integrated architecture and construction service. In addition. Laurent has collaborated as a Master’s level course instructor for Détail et Intégration at University of Montreal and has been a visiting critique at Laval University and University of Montreal. In parallel, he has been involved since 2006 in the creation and correction of the Examination for Architects in Canada (ExAC).His broad worksite experience and his passion for sustainable practices, combined with his ability to bring complex ideas to life and find elegant practical solutions have made him an exceptional architect.
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