House on the Lake by Atelier Échelle
Located on the west banks of Lake Memphremagog in Magog, Canada, House on the Lake is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional barn volume typical to rural Québec. Designed by Atelier Échelle and completed in 2023, this six-bedroom house incorporates a structural system meeting reinforced concrete and steel framing standards to create the perfect living space while allowing for a seamless flow of art integrated with the architecture.
Vision Inspired by the Barn Form and Architecture as a Medium for Art
Sitting on the west banks of Lake Memphremagog, House on the Lake is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional barn volume typical to rural Québec. The design repeats this prototypical form in four different articulations—an outdoor summer home, an indoor winter home, a living quarter, and a guest quarter. Cedar roofs, brick walls, and glass bridges tie the four volumes into one singular experience.
This waterfront, 6-bedroom residence is oriented to capture the breathtaking sunsets at the serene lake. Designed for an art collector-couple, it offers generous spaces to host family gatherings and entertain friends. Inside, a series of galleries and in situ installations are an inviting surprise to discover and experience art that is seamlessly integrated with the architecture. Floor-to-ceiling exterior glass walls frame the natural landscape beyond, which serves as a dynamic backdrop shifting with time and seasons.
A Juxtaposition of Four Distinct Volumes
The house is a juxtaposition of four programmatically distinct volumes with unique purposes. Situated closest to the lake is the outdoor summer terrasse—a 100-feet-long and encompassing an exterior kitchen, al fresco dining, fireside lounge, and heated pool. Just behind, the indoor winter home is an open plan comprising kitchen, dining, living room, and music lounge. The living quarter houses the primary suite, office, wine cellar, pantry, and powder room. The guest quarters is situated farthest from the lake and holds four bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom, and a guest lounge. Glass bridges and clerestory windows provide each volume with an abundance of indirect natural light to showcase the art and create informal thresholds between the spaces.
Custom Fabrications That Age Gracefully
House on the Lake is constructed in reinforced concrete, steel framing, and brick walls. A structural system was devised to install motorized glass spanning more than 55 feet to capture an uninterrupted view of the Lake and the surrounding landscape. The 11-foot-tall wood entry door opens into an art gallery and frames the lake. The open plan kitchen features fully glazed windows in lieu of cabinetry, flooding the space with natural light.
The Use of Natural Materials Inside and Out
The natural material finishes both inside and out were carefully selected to age gracefully and slowly acquire a layer of patina to reflect the passing of time. The exterior walls use dark-toned, water-struck clay bricks sourced from Denmark and the oversized roof shingles were custom-fabricated in a local workshop. The stonework visible at the terrace, garden, exterior kitchen, and fireplace is a mix of locally-source, black and gray Cambrian granite. The interior kitchen island is a single, rough stone block with a charred, live-edge walnut slab resting atop to achieve bar-height dining.
Supporting Spaces That Complete the Chalet Experience
A series of supporting spaces complete the chalet experience, from a cork lined indoor gym to a billiard room wrapped in deep blue corduroy drapery and a wine cellar specifically designed for Bourgogne wine.
The powder room is lined on all sides with a custom mural representing the four seasons and playfully collages events of the owner’s lives. An oil rubbed bronze vanity stands in the center, lightly reflecting the mural tones. A second installation by the same artist conceptualizes floating icebergs mosaics in contrast to the warm water of the heated pool.
Strategically Positioned Walls Avoid Dividing Spaces
The residence was designed as the medium between the large, expansive views of the lake and a desire to be surrounded by art. Walls were strategically positioned to avoid dividing the spaces while serving as canvas for the owners’ growing art collection.
Photography by Maxime Brouillet
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