I was always told not to judge a book by its cover. It’s certainly not easy to do so in this day and age, where Beauty reigns Queen, but sometimes you might just find something you’d never expect…

Photo courtesy of Stéphane Groleau / Atelier Moderno

Atelier Moderno’s Le 205 is my case in point.

Photo courtesy of Stéphane Groleau / Atelier Moderno

Stepping from its unassuming exterior into its dynamic interior, it feels like crossing into a parallel dimension.

Located in Montréal, Québec, Le 205 is a small 1950s converted workshop that is teeming with life within.

Photo courtesy of Stéphane Groleau / Atelier Moderno

Simple yet elegant features allow this home to subtly proclaim its modernity, like the kitchen’s clean-lined Corian-topped island, plus the storage module and dining room table crafted in solid white oak.

Photo courtesy of Stéphane Groleau / Atelier Moderno

Its single-stringer staircase artfully leads to a green-roof terrace, where its inhabitants can take advantage of the sunlight and abundant outdoor space, without increasing the building’s physical footprint.

Photo courtesy of Stéphane Groleau / Atelier Moderno

While preserving the original structure (namely windows, doors, and gratings), the renovation of this minimalist haven plays on its restrained impact on Mother Nature with the addition of skylights, soy-based spray insulation, radiant slab heating, and a rooftop garden.

Photo courtesy of Stéphane Groleau / Atelier Moderno

Sometimes, the most delightful things in life are where you would least expect it. Wouldn’t you agree?

Check out more the rest of the impressive portfolio at Atelier Moderno.

Researched and Written by Charmaine Cheng, Architectural Technology, Centennial College