The Cap St-Martin residence is located in Potton, Québec on a plateau surrounded by a wooded mound to the west and a steep slope to the east.
From the first meeting with Bourgeois / Lechasseur architects, the firm’s clients spoke of their attraction to the “barnhouse” style, an architectural influence that refers to the region’s long farm buildings.
As nature admirers, the clients considered a warm second home that offers a great view of the environment.
The design then moves towards a simple and elongated traditional shape, which is characterized by a contemporary reinterpretation of the barn.
Upon approaching the house, two familiarly shaped silhouettes with a gable roof are positioned along the landscape. The smallest area in the foreground houses a guest loft, the client’s garage and artist studio.
This section of the residence is connected to the main area by a glass tunnel, which provides a gentle transition filled with light. The length of the residence that can be discovered while walking around juxtaposes with the impression of a compact house.
The heart of this residence was inspired by the clients’ desire to have a spacious, bright and lake-oriented “great room”. The central room’s two long glass facades offer a contrast between the view of the forest and the view of the lake.
The room provides plenty of natural light all day long, and the extension of the concrete floor on the patio emphasizes this transparency effect.
The cathedral ceiling, covered with wood, gives the place a softer feel. A footbridge on the west side crosses the room and leads to the bedrooms.
The residence is designed to be a gathering place with a kitchen that connects to a second service area, and directly to the covered patio.
Outside, the dark wood siding and metal roof are reminiscent of farm buildings. The awnings on either side of the residence continue and link the two areas, underlining the linearity of the house.
The semi-covered patio marks the interface between the landscape and the built environment. The pure lines and refined treatment of the façades promote integration into the region’s natural and built landscape.
