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As work spaces progressively encroach upon home spaces, a professional photographer living in a fully open loft in Old Montreal required an area to help him disconnect, regenerate and perform basic daily routines and rituals to foster his creativity.

At first glance, the purpose of our design, Le Saint, is a mystery. A grid structure welcomes the viewer into a cartesian land that is aligned with the soaring loft windows and the fixtures overhead while creating a stage for curated objects from the artist’s personal collection. The minimal design conceals abundant storage and closet space that is incorporated on the perimeter of the structure. A stainless steel volume emerges from the ceiling and reveals a transportive staircase that leads to the bed on the second level.

Further within, the private quarters were carefully reconfigured. The primary bedroom includes a walk-in closet and spa-like bath, both hidden behind seamless sliding panels. The second bedroom was designed as a secluded guest room: an elevated bed and built in floor to ceiling bookshelves. As an extra layer of intimacy, this space is hidden, unfolding behind a custom door that is integrated into the shelving system, at once maximizing storage and creating a comforting sense of distance.

With three-meter ceilings and a nearly uninterrupted volume, the fluid layout allowed for an environment to showcase the couple’s art collection. Unlike a stark gallery setting, the large photographs, paintings and sculpture are dotted amongst the furniture, witnesses to the daily life that unfolds in the effortlessly curated space. An heirloom pool table sits in front of the rear wall custom bar, recalling the vibe of a hotel bar - a place for a dynamic night scene, under low, focused light.

The material palette is full of rich moody tones, a nod to the clients’ love of vintage nautical cabins. The deep shades create an immersive sense of calm, while the lighter tones highlight the loftiness of the volume within. The existing exposed brick was painted and the original wood floors darkened to create a complementary tension for a refined raw atmosphere. Large mirrors catch and carry daylight deep into the plan, accentuating the warm browns of the wood paneling that wraps the entry’s concealed built-in storage. Natural stone was selected to add a layer of dramatic movement throughout, tying together the visual identity of the home.

At the front of the loft, the original 100 year old barn doors open up onto a small terrace—connecting the home back to the energy and history of the street.