House Design: Celebrating the Ordinary

Above the office of Jérôme Lapierre Architecte in the vibrant Montcalm district of French-speaking Quebec City, hangs a sign bearing his design motto: “Célébrer L’ordinaire,” or “Celebrate the Ordinary.” This principle is the core philosophy of the talented 37-year-old architect, whose work is characterized by a modest, vernacular elegance and honesty in materiality.

This philosophy captivated Dr. Pascale Trépanier, who passed the sign regularly on her commute to work. She and her husband, economist Pierre-Luc Gosselin, needed larger quarters for their growing family but were determined to stay in Montcalm. The neighborhood’s attractions include tree-lined streets with an eclectic mix of architecture, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, and the Plains of Abraham, a historic park overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

On a quiet street near the park, the couple found a small brick building dating back to 1921. They purchased one of its mirror-image duplex units, but it had flaws, including a layout that didn’t quite suit the life of a young family. Their wish list included a family-friendly kitchen on the main floor and an additional bathroom upstairs. However, the most pressing concern was the low light level. “It was almost dark in the staircase and main living areas,” recalls Trépanier.

Lapierre, who also lives in Montcalm, saw the dark interior staircase not as a problem but as an opportunity. His radical yet ingenious solution was to add a simple but bold gabled skylight on the roof above. “Although invisible from the street, it transformed the central space by creating moments of dancing light that celebrate the changing mood of the day,” he explains. To amplify the lighting effect, he added a divided light window to the common wall with the kitchen. He also rebuilt a narrow extension on the second floor adjacent to the staircase into a slanted wooden bridge. The result below is a dynamic play of brightness and shadow that highlights the dark woodwork of the entry hall.

No grand, sweeping moves were needed—just clear and intelligent problem-solving. Lapierre and his team largely left the home’s original layout of separate rooms intact, modifying it only slightly to create a more practical kitchen with adjacent spaces for lounging, playing, and eating, plus a primary suite with its own bathroom on the upper level. The small garden at the back of the house was connected via stairs to two rooftop terraces, including one above the garage, forming a sequence of inviting outdoor spaces.

Successful renovations require a thoughtful attitude towards mixing old and new. Lapierre’s approach was informed by clear thinking and a free hand with materials and details. “In the context of current architecture, especially with a heritage home like this one, clarity is essential,” he explains. “We aim to create a bold contrast with the old, affirming the presence of our time.” The new kitchen is a prime example; it takes cues from the old panels of the stair hall but presents them in a contemporary language with thin frames and integrated finger pulls instead of predictable, milled oak slab fronts.

This considered attention to detail continues throughout, including new paneling and doors skillfully matched to the originals elsewhere in the house. A staircase railing on the second floor made of slender, white-painted steel rods asserts itself as a contemporary counterpoint to the larger, dark oak railing below. The architect may have intended to celebrate the ordinary, but he achieved extraordinary results.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This article presents an excellent case study on renovating a heritage home in Canada, focusing on the philosophy of “celebrating the ordinary” through intelligent design solutions that use light as a transformative tool. The article is commendable for its clear portrayal of architectural challenges and solutions, making it a source of inspiration for both homeowners and professionals. However, it could have delved deeper into the technical aspects and structural challenges of the project, such as the construction details of the gabled skylight and its integration with the old building. Nonetheless, the article remains a wonderful model for demonstrating how clear, well-considered architectural interventions can breathe new life into historical buildings, reinforcing the message that simplicity and clarity are the pinnacle of sophistication and elegance.