La CATHouse is the result of the transformation of an old duplex in the St-Henri neighborhood, built around 1885. The idea of creating an expansion that would highlight this former working-class building emerged from a meeting with a local craftsman trained in the arts in France. Specializing in the restoration of cornices, friezes, entablatures, and other metal ornaments of old Montreal buildings, this craftsman was able to impart his expertise in the design of a contemporary extension.
The expansion is inspired by the metal sheds typical of Montreal’s back alleys, but with a novel approach: copper, traditionally used as a mere ornament, becomes the primary material. This metal covers a monolithic block, balanced on a brick base, creating a striking contrast between the old and the modern.
The choice of copper, a material responsive to its environment, prompts a reflection on the longevity of materials and their transformation over time. Like the simple yet noble materials of the past, copper will age gracefully, revealing the temporal quality of the urban landscape. It reminds us that despite the speed and superficiality of our era, the slow wear of materials embodies a dimension of time that modernity’s smooth surfaces often obscure. This artisanal approach, based on precise layout and controlled joints, allows the form to be expressed authentically, without resorting to industrialized borders or decorative tricks.
The building thus becomes a unique time marker, evolving with the passing of time and seasons. The occupants and neighbors will no doubt remember the day when the copper, bright and shining, was first installed, and will come to appreciate its deep patina in time, signaling the moment it matures into a rich, expressive verdigris.
