Colourful spiral staircases now give direct access to units in the Saint-Michel Nord housing complex in Montreal, which was renovated by Saia Barbarese Topouzanov to update the ageing buildings and include a new pedestrian-friendly street.
Located in the underprivileged Saint-Michel neighbourhood, the housing complex was built in the 1970s in the brutalist style. Its 185 units lacked natural light, and the building's poor energy efficiency made them uncomfortable and costly to maintain.
The renovation of the Habitations Saint-Michel Nord housing complex involved adding spiral staircases to the exeterior
Architecture firm Saia Barbarese Topouzanov's intervention draws a new shared street through the long housing block, creating a safe outdoor space for the residents. "The shared street is very important to the project because it allows for open pedestrian paths with no dead ends, improving residents' sense of security," said the architects.
The colourful staircases lead to balconies used by the residents
Along this axis, colourful spiral staircases lead to balconies directly outside each unit ? an amenity that the complex previously lacked.
Spiral staircases such as these are a prevalent feature in Montreal's walk-up buildings, providing exterior spaces that residents may not otherwise have access to.
A variety of orange accents differentiate areas of the complex
"Overhanging rather than recessed balconies [create] added living space that is much appreciated i...