In Suspension by Naturehumaine

In Suspension is a minimal home located in Montreal, Canada, designed by Naturehumaine. The client was looking to rehab two levels of a building in order to provide a playing arena for her athletically inclined children. The project’s focus involves creating a shared living space in which all utilitarian functions are shared, without sacrificing privacy for each of the residents.

The architects removed the floor separating the two levels in order to create an open space that appears to have two boxes floating in mid-air. These suspended boxes utilize unfinished plywood panels, and each contain a bedroom and a bathroom. As a result, the configuration creates three gaps, each of which are two floors high, with the center gap becoming a physical exercise room with a pair of gymnastics rings.

A black-painted block connects the entire length of the structure, while simultaneously accommodating various programs, including the stairways, a shower, and part of the kitchen. Similar to the suspended boxes, unfinished wood was committed for the kitchen island, with sliding lacquered bookshelves underneath the wooden boxes.