Return to the river, inhabit the time

A contemporary house discreetly integrates into the vernacular fabric of Deschaillons-sur-St-Laurent, transforming the return to origins into a bright living experience, open to the landscape, and deeply connected to the memory of the place.

Returning to the origins as a design choice

After a lifetime spent in different places around the world, the owners of Maison Deschaillons choose to return to where it all began: the family property in Deschaillons-sur-St-Laurent, overlooking the river. The small original building, located in the heart of the village on a narrow and deep lot, retains its architectural identity intact. It becomes a space for welcoming friends and relatives, as well as a functional support for some seasonal activities, keeping alive the connection with memory and the local historical fabric.

A dialogue between new and existing

The project by Paul Bernier Architecte involves the addition of a new dwelling at the back of the lot, connected to the existing house through a glazed passage that serves as an entrance and spatial hinge. This transparent element allows for a clear reading of the two volumes, avoiding mimicry and overlaps. The new building adopts a contemporary language, while also referencing vernacular architecture through the white wood cladding with board and batten installation, a common solution in the service buildings of the area.

A discreet presence in the landscape

Set back from the road, the new house presents itself as a deliberately measured secondary volume. The curved facade reduces the perception of width and guides the gaze towards the garden and the river. The oblique orientation in relation to the original house stems from a careful study of views, natural light, and functional program, a recurring strategy in architectural projects that place the landscape at the center of the living experience.

Light, water, and continuity with the ground

The living spaces open mainly towards the river, with large glass surfaces framing the view. Upstairs, the living room and main rooms enjoy indirect and zenithal light, thanks to a high window that captures the sunlight from the south. The atmosphere is calm, diffused, never dazzling. On the ground floor, a screened veranda establishes a direct relationship with the ground, extending the house to the water and making the landscape an integral part of daily living.

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Paul Bernier Architecte

4755 Rue Pontiac Montréal, QC H2J 2T4 Canada