Artisan Wood Floors
Located in Montréal’s Villeray neighborhood –an area undergoing thoughtful urban revitalization, the St-Gérard residence by ISSASTUDIO captures the spirit of progressive urban planning aimed at fostering livability and sustainability.
This 2,600 sq. ft. home combines modern minimalism with biophilic design principles, and features CRAFT’s Teramo White Oak to introduce organic warmth and natural textures into its sleek architectural forms.
Some typical façades in the neighborhood showcase contemporary design integrating harmoniously within the area’s traditional urban fabric, aligning with the city’s efforts to blend progressive architecture with historical authenticity. At right: older, newer.
At adjacent Parc Frédéric-Back, white spheres dotting the landscape mark a progressive environmental initiative: they are part of a biogas capture system that converts landfill emissions into usable energy. This former quarry and landfill has been transformed, at left.
Designed by ISSASTUDIO, a firm deeply committed to biophilic principles, the 2,600 sq. ft. home elegantly balances modern minimalism and nature-inspired warmth.
Driven by ISSASTUDIO’s ethos of symbiotic design, the residence breaks traditional spatial constraints through staggered floors and half-level configurations.
These carefully orchestrated vertical explorations allow sightlines and light to circulate freely. The interplay of privacy and communal spaces is thoughtfully managed, echoing a contemporary approach to residential architecture in dense urban settings.
Simplicity and continuity guide ISSASTUDIO’s material selections, preserving visual clarity and coherence throughout the interior. Transparent glass railings along staircases and landings ensure a bright home, where sightlines and natural light circulate freely.
The sculptural staircase serves as an aesthetic and structural backbone, harmonizing distinct living areas while preserving their defined identities.
Underside of stairs, viewed from below, at left.
Material craftsmanship is showcased through precise millwork and detailing. Rich grooved wood panels, quartz surfaces, and sleek fixtures enrich the minimalist elegance, adding tactile depth. ISSASTUDIO’s biophilic narrative comes to life through these elements, , deepening the occupants’ emotional connection with natural forms and textures.
Conscious selection of materials included avoiding “forever chemicals” and harmful substances. This transparency reflects the evolving industry norm towards healthier, safer building materials.
Green at Heart: Like all CRAFT floors, Teramo is PEFC-certified, Red List Free, and GREENGUARD Gold for low VOC emissions, reflecting CRAFT’s focus on healthy homes and sustainably sourced materials.
The home’s master suite, positioned privately atop the upper landing, exemplifies sophisticated serenity. Teramo White Oak floors from CRAFT’s StyleWood Collection anchor this intimate retreat with natural, soft hues reminiscent of raw, untreated wood. The suite promotes tranquility and organic warmth within the home’s vertical expanse.
Behind the scenes in
the making of a CRAFT
TERAMO floor:
Teramo floors are made from CRAFT Natural Grade White Oak, specially selected to limit excessive colour variation while highlighting some of the wood’s natural characteristics. The wide and long planks of Teramo feature artful details, including ample stretches of clear grain and, occasional natural figure patterns.
Teramo’s wire-brushed texture and UltraMatte finish further diffuse natural light, amplifying its inherent warmth and tactile depth. By embracing authentic natural variations, this Natural Grade wood safeguards the home from feeling sterile or detached, grounding the sleek elements in comforting, organic authenticity.
The home’s striking atmosphere emerges from a harmonious interplay of contrasts. Sleek black-and-white and tone-on-tone black design elements provide refined counterpoints to expansive wooden surfaces. Teramo’s Natural Grade intentionally preserves much of the wood’s natural characteristics, adding patterns intrinsic to biophilic design.
In striking contrast, the ensuite bathroom employs tone-on-tone blacks, showcasing sleek quartz countertops and minimalist fixtures by Ramacieri Soligo.
This bold visual juxtaposition with the bedroom’s natural warmth enhances the sensory experience, turning the ensuite into an immersive sanctuary that feels both dramatically contemporary and soothingly sheltered.
Residents describe their living space as an “urban sanctuary”, highlighting ISSASTUDIO’s skillful application of biophilic principles to maintain a strong connection to nature, even within an urban context. Quiet mornings in softly illuminated bedrooms and tranquil evenings in spa-like baths exemplify the home’s invitation to nurture well-being, appreciation of refined craftsmanship, and natural comfort.
For CRAFT, the St-Gérard residence showcases how thoughtfully designed spaces and sustainably sourced materials can effectively merge to produce sophisticated, wellness-focused interiors. This project advances the discussion on the necessary evolution toward transparency and responsibility in material selection, reinforcing that true luxury in modern design is inseparable from sustainability and authenticity.
