The project stems from a life-altering event: a spinal cord injury in 2016 left Cait partially paralyzed, turning the stairs in her Montreal apartment into a daily challenge; one that would ultimately reshape the way she inhabits her home.

With her partner, Mikkel, she began searching for suitable housing. It soon became clear that, even in buildings equipped with elevators, accessible units in urban settings are scarce. For them, moving to the suburbs was never an option—their life and routines were firmly rooted in the city.

Faced with these limitations, they made a bold decision: to purchase a house and reimagine it entirely around their needs without ever compromising the way they choose to live.

A custom project, between constraint and freedom 

Built in 1907, the residence they chose reflects the essence of Montreal homes of the period, characterized by an elevated entrance, a strong vertical rhythm, and a rich heritage.

The architects completely reimagined its accessibility while preserving this historic identity. The main intervention takes place at the back of the house, where an elevator connects all floors of a three-storey extension. A new staircase wraps around it, allowing Mikkel and able-bodied visitors to move through the building alongside Cait.

This strategy allowed the original façade to be preserved, while integrating the necessary elements for Cait to use her home. An adapted garage also replaces the former parking space, facilitating access from the outside.

Inside, each room is redefined based on actual use. The kitchen is organized around widened circulation paths and dual-height work surfaces adapted to both occupants. Extended handles improve grip, while the oven is installed at a height that allows for use from a seated position.

"The bathrooms include curbless walk-in showers equipped with benches, while the vanities provide the necessary knee-space for use with a wheelchair," explains interior designer Sarah Lord. "The grab bars, selected in a gold finish, blend elegantly into the overall design.”

These adjustments, far from being secondary, structure the project.

“It required rigorous technical coordination, particularly in reinforcing partitions to support equipment without compromising spatial clarity,” adds project manager Anna Rocki.

Interior atmospheres between heritage and contemporaneity

One of the project’s key challenges lies in balancing transformation and preservation. Original elements—brickwork, stained glass, moldings, and woodwork—were carefully restored and serve as anchors for the contemporary intervention.

Building on this existing material, the project unfolds through a sensitive approach to interior design. Rich, deep tones, paired with subtle gold accents, echo the home’s Victorian character, wrapping the spaces in a calm, intimate atmosphere. These choices envelop the spaces in a subdued atmosphere, where light glides across surfaces and reveals texture. In the extension, slatted elements filter natural light and create a play of light and shadows while preserving privacy. More restrained tones and clean lines establish a measured contrast with the existing structure, distinguishing the contemporary intervention without distorting it.

Materials become the thread that weaves past and present together. Restored elements coexist with contemporary surfaces such as marble, wall panels, and smooth finishes that catch and reflect light in subtle, varied ways, enriching the spatial experience with depth and nuance. Each room unfolds with its own atmosphere, distinct yet harmoniously connected to the whole. Below, the basement reveals a different world altogether: transformed into a game room inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, it introduces a more playful, intimate layer to the home—one that speaks to imagination, gathering, and shared moments.

"Each architectural gesture reflects a commitment to making everyday life more fluid, more intuitive, and more attuned," explains Jean-François St-Onge, co-founder of ADHOC. "We sought to create a warm atmosphere, where light, materials, and proportions contribute to a lasting sense of comfort.”