A Cathedral-Esque Lake Home Rises in the Quebec Countryside

Built with a material palette that will beautifully patina, the Memphremagog Lake House by _naturhumaine stands in dialogue with its wooded surroundings.

Jul 23, 2021 - 18:17

A Cathedral-Esque Lake Home Rises in the Quebec Countryside

Built with a material palette that will beautifully patina, the Memphremagog Lake House by _naturhumaine stands in dialogue with its wooded surroundings.

On the shores of Lake Memphremagog in Southeastern Quebec, Canada, sits a sprawling, wood-clad residence nestled among thick vegetation. Designed by Montreal-based firm _naturehumaine, the home dazzles and glows, appearing as a beacon of light in its remote location. "The owners’ wish was to create a home that reflects their lifestyle: dynamic, welcoming, and friendly," explain architects Stéphane Rasselet and Fanny Guigon.

To respond to the client’s request for a "warm place for gathering with friends," Rasselet and Guigon borrowed elements of church architecture, like large volumes and soaring, vertical proportions that bring in natural light. Specifically, they looked to nearby St-Benoît Abbey, designed by Dan Hanganu, as their main muse.

According to the architects, it was "a source of inspiration both for the attention to details and mostly in regard of the treatment of natural light in the double-height volumes."