De la Descente Project
at Lake Memphremagog

A contemporary dwelling in harmony with its vernacular environment

July 16, 2024

Located on the western shore of Lake Memphremagog, near the village of Ogden in the Eastern Townships, the De la Descente project unfolds in a steeply sloping context leading to a rocky cliff bordering the lake. The owners, a young Montreal couple with two children, sought to create a forest retreat capable of also accommodating friends with children.

The De la Descente project unfolds in a steeply sloping context leading to a rocky cliff bordering Lake Memphremagog.

The site presents a particularly intriguing and complex topography. At the heart of this geographical configuration lies a modest plateau, a true natural gem nestled between two steep slopes. This unique arrangement creates a striking contrast between the plateau’s relative flatness and the surrounding flanks’ marked inclination.

Access to this plateau proves to be a real logistical and physical challenge. Indeed, the only identified entry point is located at a lower level, precisely one floor below the coveted flat surface. This peculiarity necessarily implies an ascent for anyone wishing to reach the summit, thus adding a dimension of adventure and effort to any visit or exploration of the site.

However, the plateau offers an exceptional natural viewpoint, revealing a breathtaking panorama of the shimmering expanse of the lake below. The interaction between the grandiose visual spectacle, the accessibility challenge, and the visual reward thus creates a unique place.

Living in a vernacular context

Drawing inspiration from the region’s architecture, characterized by successive additions of houses on agricultural lands and cottages along the lakeshore, the designers opted for an original vernacular approach. “The peculiarity of these typologies is that they evolve with extensions and accessory buildings, often more functional than formalist,” explains Étienne Chaussé, architect at Matière Première Architecture.

‘The interaction between the grandiose visual spectacle, the accessibility challenge, and the visual reward creates a unique place.’

From the beginning of the sketch, the designers sought to integrate this aesthetic into the project. The goal was to capture the essence of this vernacular setting while creating a contemporary dwelling harmonious with its environment.

Concept and interior spaces

To integrate this eclectic influence, the garage was designed as a structure detached from the main house, oriented at a different angle. “This arrangement creates an unobstructed view of the lake between the main house and the garage,” specifies Marc-Antoine Chrétien, an architect at the same firm.

The garage, accessible from the road, includes an interior staircase leading to the upper floor. This allows access either to the loft on the garage’s upper floor for guests or to a short outdoor passage leading to the ground floor of the residence. This level play ensures a smooth and practical transition between the loft and the main house, which are then at the same level.

‘The arrangement of the ensemble creates an unobstructed view of the lake between the main house and the garage.’

During the first site visit, I was wondering how we would make access to the plateau possible, considering that the municipality prohibited any work on steep slopes,” recalls Marc-Antoine Chrétien. “The solution of using the garage to climb the terrain was in keeping with the built environment, a functional response whose composition contributes to the aesthetics of the project,” he adds.

Apart from their needs, the clients communicated only one conceptual request: to have a cathedral living room with triangular windows in the upper part. “It’s always difficult to integrate interior triangular windows without having a less well-proportioned exterior facade at the fascia level. It was while working on this request that we made the choice to extend the volume outwards and set back the curtain wall inwards,” explains Marc-Antoine Chrétien. Inside, fluid and organic spaces are defined by furniture rather than traditional partitions.

Architectural Design

The choice of materials, particularly local white cedar, reflects a concern for harmony with the surrounding wooded environment. The exterior cladding in pre-aged local white cedar was chosen for its durability and visual integration with the forest setting. Inside, the same wood species was used but with a sanded and oiled finish.

The dormer windows play a crucial role in the De la Descente project, offering an architectural solution that is both elegant and functional. By prioritizing the development of the attic space rather than adding a complete floor, this approach harmoniously respects the surrounding built context while reducing the visual impact of the structure.

These architectural elements allow for a continuous visual connection with the surrounding nature, while also providing generous natural light in the attic spaces, which would otherwise be dark with traditional treatments. The exterior amenities, including a pool and a fire pit below, extend the outdoor living experience.

The entire project plays with volumes, ridges, and curves, creating an architectural promenade within a habitable geometric sculpture.

The De la Descente project takes a playful approach, playing with volumes, sharp edges, curves, and heights to create a sense of promenade within a geometric sculpture. The exterior architecture deliberately creates an ambiguity, giving the impression of an existing building that has undergone successive expansions.

During construction, the difficult site access posed considerable challenges. “Transporting the large structural elements, concrete, and windows on this steep terrain was an arduous task. It is always a challenge to build on difficult-to-access sites, but we are always rewarded by the result,” explains Dominic Chaussé, the contractor at Nu Drom Construction, in an amused tone.

‘The project is designed with a playful and sculptural approach, incorporating various volumes, sharp edges, curves, and heights to create a sense of promenade within a geometric sculpture.

Despite the challenges posed by the difficult terrain, the final result demonstrates an architectural success that combines functionality, aesthetics, and respect for the local context. “De la Descente” embodies a contemporary approach to vacation housing, deeply rooted in its natural and cultural environment.

About Matière Première Architecture

Matière Première Architecture is a young architectural firm located in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec since 2016. The three founders, Etienne Chaussé, Marc-Antoine Chrétien, and Dominic Chaussé, left Montreal and moved with their families to be part of the local community and gain a better understanding and broader perspective of the region. Their work primarily focuses on rural residential projects designed by Matière Première Architecture and built by Nu Drom, its affiliated construction company.

Images: Maxime Brouillet via v2com

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