Binome, a five-unit residential building designed by Appareil Architecture in Montreal, stands as a symbol of thoughtful urban densification. This unique project offers a contemporary and sensitive approach to city living, providing an enriched living experience through high-quality architecture and respectful integration into its context.
The project began with a vision by the clients—owners of a vacant lot between their duplex and a multi-unit building—who sought to create high-quality collective housing that would foster cohabitation and intergenerational diversity within their neighborhood. “We dreamed of a building with a different kind of architecture—made up of two volumes and a central courtyard—allowing for more housing, ideally affordable,” says Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, co-owner of Binome.
One of the primary challenges of the project was optimizing the lot while adhering to municipal regulations and density constraints. Appareil Architecture conducted a thorough site potential study,navigating the technical complexities of excavation and the narrow parcel. The design solution splits the building into two distinct volumes connected by a landscaped interior courtyard. This approach offers several advantages: natural cross-ventilation and optimal daylighting for each unit, a shared central courtyard that promotes resident interaction, and visual and urban permeability that lightens the architectural impact.
Binome comprises five dwellings: three open-plan units of approximately 600 sq. ft., and two duplexes of about 1,500 sq. ft. each. Each unit has its own entrance and outdoor access—either via the shared courtyard or a private terrace reached through a porte-cochère—enhancing residents’ sense of ownership and well-being. This design reinterprets traditional Montreal housing typologies, rethinking their organization and urban adaptation.
Rising three stories with a basement, Binome densifies the site while preserving a human scale. The massing is positioned along the street and laneway, opening up a central space that becomes a shared courtyard. This balance brings density and intimacy together, avoiding the enclosed feel often found in urban multi-unit projects.
“We hoped this project would attract people who love architecture, creativity, and community—and that’s exactly what happened,” says Sarah-Jeanne. “We now have people of all ages, artists and families. Everyone enjoys privacy, but there are plenty of opportunities to connect.”
The architecture is inspired by the area’s industrial past, where former manufacturing sites have been converted into residences and artists’ studios, shaping a distinctive urban identity. Binome follows this legacy with reinterpretations of local architectural hallmarks: red brick, generous windows reminiscent of industrial workshops, and brick colonnades echoing the old Pasteur Hospital, now a residential facility.
The façade plays a pivotal role in integrating the project into its surroundings. Rather than merely aligning with the existing streetscape, the design introduces a subtle interplay of volumes and textures that enrich the urban fabric. Brick arches at the entrance provide structure and rhythm, creating a smooth transition between public and private space. These elements give the building a distinct street presence while maintaining privacy for residents. The use of tone-on-tone red metal with the brick reinforces material and chromatic harmony. The understated, warm palette ensures the project fits naturally into its environment, avoiding harsh contrasts with neighboring structures.
Beyond urban planning and exterior architecture, Binome offers refined interior design carried through to the finest details. Each unit features a personalized touch, reflected in the material and color selection: custom kitchen islands, individually styled bathrooms, and carefully framed windows that enhance natural light. In the central courtyard, glass blocks preserve privacy while diffusing soft, ambient light. The double-height red base in the courtyard reflects light, enlivens the communal spaces, and gives structure to the shared environment. The staircase, clad in a sophisticated and cheerful burgundy, adds a refined, distinctive accent.
Binome prioritizes quality of life and sustainability. Designed for maximum comfort, the through-units promote natural ventilation, while the inclusion of planted lightwells and green roofs enhance garden-level spaces. Soft and luminous interior tones create serene atmospheres throughout. The architecture follows an eco-conscious approach: sloped green roofs support rainwater management, biodiversity, and heat island reduction in a dense urban setting. “We wanted to create something unique and beautiful that would positively impact the neighborhood. The Appareil Architecture team immediately embraced our vision, as though the project was already aligned with their design philosophy,” says Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse.
The project also features a carefully curated landscape design, developed with specialists in edible plantings, enhancing urban biodiversity and providing residents with a lush green environment in the heart of the city. Binome successfully responds to contemporary urban living needs while preserving neighborhood heritage. By optimizing an underutilized site, embracing natural light and cross-ventilation, and integrating sustainability strategies at every level, the project serves as a model for thoughtful urban renewal. It proves that well-considered gentle densification can enrich the built environment and offer high-quality collective living through innovative, people-centered design.