Page 83 - AIT0725_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Jean Verville Architectes, CA-Québec
Grundriss • Floor plan
Bauherr • Client Jean Verville, CA-Québec
Foto: Maryse Béland, CA-Québec
Standort • Location privat, CA-Québec
Nutzfläche • Floor space 79 m 2
Fotos • Photos Maxime Brouillet (1-5) / Antoine Michel (6)
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 134
BRUJ LIVING/CREATIVE
LABORATORY IN QUÉBEC
This living experiment by Jean Verville oscillates between
a chamber of curiosities and a “habitable creative labo-
ratory”: High up in a monumental residential tower from
the 1970s, he filtered the brutalist architecture through an
ethereal design language full of transparency and reflec-
tions, alchemically giving the apartment a raw, industrial
aesthetic that amazes everyone.
T he tower, once designed by architect Marcel Bilodeau, rises 20
storeys into the sky. The neighbourhood is predominantly made up
of single-family homes, making it a kind of landmark – visible from afar
and offering truly exciting views of the Abraham Plains park, the Saint
Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains. The stunning natural
spectacle forms a stark contrast to the interior, which is dominated by
concrete, stainless steel, mirrored surfaces and glass. The association
with a laboratory is obvious and entirely intentional: for the Canadian
architect Jean Verville, the apartment is a case study in how even the
most sterile environment can be transformed into a comfortable living
space and furthermore encapsulates the humour, playfulness and sense
of endearing self-mockery that is also at the very centre of his epony-
mous practice. To achieve this, however, he first had to completely gut
the existing structure. What remained was a bare-concrete monolith
with openings to the north and south. In order not to obstruct this light-
and view axis unnecessarily, he installed sliding glass walls, creating a
harmonious space with six different configurations. Metal blinds provi-
de privacy when needed. The heart of the 79-square-metre space is an
open-plan living area with a lounge and kitchen, whose two stainless-
steel counters form a striking contrast to the rough concrete walls and
ceilings. While the private areas such as the bedroom, dressing room,
bathroom and utility room are located in the north, a covered balcony
and a small study are arranged in the south. Minimalist metal furniture
emphasizes the simple elegance, while exposed cables, pipes and water
pipes accentuate the industrial aesthetic. Two bright yellow luminaires
and a rust-red sofa add playful accents. Throughout the apartment,
open metal and glass display cabinets serve as storage and exhibition
space, showcasing a selection of everyday objects from Verville’s life:
small glass bottles of all kinds, models and various experiments, clo-
thing, crockery and potted plants. In this way, the architect revives the
spirit of the cabinet of curiosities, creating a setting that plays with the
Explosionszeichnung • Exploded view everyday and, at the same time, invites inquisitive discovery.
AIT 7/8.2025 • 083