Naturehumaine add maple and steel staircase to 1960s house
Angular shapes have been sliced out of the planks of smooth maple that encase a staircase at the centre of this Montreal renovation by Naturehumaine (+ slideshow).
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
The staircase forms part of a refurbishment of a 1960s family home, named Closse Residence, by local studio Naturehumaine.
Situated in the suburban area of Saint-Lambert in Montreal, the pitched-roof property was originally designed by the client's father, but after 50 years was in need of modernisation.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
The architects opened up the plan by removing partition walls and added the new staircase to create a focal point for the space. They also restored the exterior, adding a new steel roof and dormer for an upper floor bathroom.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_9.jpg)
"The existing geometry of the house is dominated by its large gable roof, so the idea for the stair was to work with a triangular geometry," studio architect Stephane Rasselet told Dezeen.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
"The stair is visible from outside the house where its relationship with the roof can be viewed."
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Large glazed patio doors inserted in the south facade provide exterior views of the staircase. The house also features an L-shaped porch, supported at its outer edge by a row of slim black columns and at its inner edge by the brick and timber walls, and a tall stone chimney stack.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
The angular maple veneer enclosure for the staircase has two frosted and clear glass inserts, and the stairs have black steel balustrades and wide maple treads.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_14.jpg)
"The stair acts as a lantern, lighting the dining area with the use of recessed lighting and frosted glass," said Rasselet.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_7.jpg)
To one side of the staircase, a white countertop extends 2.4 metres off the end of a kitchen island to provide a dining table, merging the preparation and eating spaces.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
A larger dining table sits in front of a stone wall with a restored corner fireplace.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_17.jpg)
Panels of mirror are used throughout the space to maximise the light from the large black-framed windows, but downstairs the original basement has been left intact.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_16.jpg)
"One of the client's demands was to keep the basement untouched and exactly as how his father had built it. A serious contrast with the rest of the house," said Rasselet. "Even now when the parents come visit, they enjoy spending time in the basement reminiscent of their past."
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
Photography is by Adrien Williams.
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_1.gif)
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_2.gif)
![Closse Residence by Naturehumaine](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/12/Closse-Residence-by-Naturehumaine_dezeen_3.gif)