Between housing shortages and increasing awareness of green housing, the issue of space is rarely discussed. Yet, it’s a major challenge! A couple passionate about real estate demonstrates that you can live comfortably in a small space.
From the moment they first met, Liv Siv-Ing and David Territo started talking about real estate. “We were very young, and land was our first topic of conversation!” says Liv Siv-Ing, laughing.
A shared passion that helped bring them closer, as they’ve been a couple for 11 years. She works in sales, and he runs the Casavogue furniture store, founded by his parents. They wanted to do something together. “We’d always looked at lots, and one day, we discovered this 1,800-square-foot site with a shoebox and an old building,” she continues.
Liv Siv-ing and David Territo, owners of Territo Boutique Apartments, in one of their tiny homes.
The shoebox concept inspired their project. They demolished everything to build a total of seven compact units (6 mini-apartments, plus the shoebox) to demonstrate that comfort doesn’t necessarily depend on the size of a home. “There’s one unit with an open, loft-style room; three units with two small bedrooms; two units with one bedroom; and a two-story unit that really replicates the shoebox idea,” explains David Territo.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESSE
The Territo Appartements boutique building has six mini-units, complemented by the shoebox, on the right.
Optimize, Illuminate, Decorate
Liv and David’s other source of inspiration comes from their various boat trips. “It’s impressive to see how incredibly comfortable the cabins [rooms] inside can be, because the space is very well thought out, every corner is used to put a closet, a drawer, etc.,” says the young woman. “That’s what we really wanted to convey in our project by planning everything properly to maximize the space.”
The couple then contacted architect Luc Denis, who was taken aback by his unusual request to build tiny homes. “It’s not part of the culture here, since people are used to living in large spaces,” notes Liv, originally from Paris.
“There are often spaces that are unused when you have a large house. We wanted every square foot to be well thought out and useful.”
Liv Siv-Ing
Guided by the architect and designer Joy Moussa, the owners worked tirelessly to design apartments that were inviting, functional, and breathable despite their small size. Several interior doors are sliding; many pieces of furniture were custom-made, particularly in the bedrooms, to integrate drawers under the bed, for the high wardrobes, or even the mini-desk that also serves as a bedside table. In some kitchens, the table unfolds by opening a drawer, and the European-style appliances, therefore narrower than our standards, also save space.
Natural light contributes to the effect of grandeur.
In addition to optimizing the layout, other elements promote a sense of grandeur. “We played a lot with ceiling heights [over 8 feet] and the size of the windows was very important to create an airy atmosphere in addition to bringing in a lot of light,” explains David Territo. At nightfall, recessed lights illuminate the rooms without breaking the sense of height. Another advantage: the balconies, true extensions of the interiors, are wide enough to install a table and chairs.
Available in white and light wood, the overall envelope helps to enlarge the rooms, while the decorative choices personalize them. “We stick to very neutral but warm tones with earth tones, yellows, pinks, so that there is a unique spirit in each apartment,” explains David, who emphasizes the importance of adding cheerful and trendy touches to his apartments.
PHOTO BY ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESSE
Each accommodation has a balcony or a small garden.
Living in their own Homes and in Community
While tenants enjoy a private balcony or mini-garden, they can also access a large communal rooftop terrace with picnic tables from their apartment. The owners plan to install a bike rack at the rear of the building, which overlooks the alley. “Here, we’re a two-minute walk from the metro. There are local shops and a tennis court next door. It’s a very vibrant new neighborhood between Ville-Marie and Hochelaga,” says Liv.
These apartments, with their ingenious concept, will be rented furnished, and are therefore primarily intended for people who need temporary accommodation for one or more months, such as students or new arrivals.
