When doctors Camille Deshaies and Alexandre Dow purchased their property in rural Quebec, it came with an extraordinary and unusual feature: a homemade castle built by the previous owners. The fairytale structure, complete with full-size statues and grand exterior staircases, had been constructed over many years but had deteriorated beyond repair by the time the couple took ownership. Despite its dilapidated condition, the site's natural beauty and potential were undeniable.
"It was a creepy place, but the site was amazing," explains architect Romy Brosseau of Montreal's La Shed Architecture, whom the couple contacted to design a new build. The first visit to the property left a lasting impression on Camille and Alexandre. "The first time we went to visit, it was raining, but we still went into the woods," recalls Camille. "We were walking around and we could smell the cedar, and the views were great. It's just this wonderland." The five-minute drive from the hospital where they both work was an additional benefit that couldn't be overlooked.
Demolishing the crumbling castle revealed an unexpected treasure: a massive exposed rock formation that had been partially visible inside the original structure. This discovery became the foundation for the architects' design approach. "We could see that there was a big rock underneath it," Brosseau explains. "That was our starting point—to rebuild the house sitting on that existing rock, and expose it even more." The architects used this exposed bedrock as both a literal and conceptual foundation for their new design.
The new 3,800-square-foot home embraces its rural context with a simple rectangular plan and a gable roof that deliberately echoes the form of traditional barns in the surrounding area. The exterior features natural eastern cedar cladding with LifeTime wood stain that will develop a beautiful gray patina over time, while the interior showcases white oak engineered floors and white cedar ceiling cladding that bring warmth throughout the space.
"We wanted it to fit in the spirit of the landscape," Camille explains. "It's very rural with a lot of farming in the area, so it looked almost like a barn to us. We didn't want it to stick out or be ultramodern." The three-level layout maintains a compact footprint to preserve the dramatic natural site. The living areas occupy the middle level, which connects directly to the exposed rock through floor-to-ceiling windows and extends onto a long wooden terrace that spans the length of the house.
The design prioritizes both family functionality and connection to the landscape. "From any space at the ground level, you can get out on this long terrace," notes La Shed co-principal Renée Mailhot. This feature has proven particularly popular with Camille and Alexandre's two children—five-year-old Madeleine and Leonard, who was born as the home neared completion. "The kids love it—they run with bicycles on it and have a lot of fun," says Mailhot. Inside, the open floor plan creates perfect corridors for active children as well. "There's two long runways in the kitchen, around the island and our dining table," Alexandre explains. "The kids just run from one end to the other on the main floor."
The home's design accommodates both family fun and practical functionality. The generous pantry is ideally suited for processing game, as Alexandre hunts on the property, and for making preserves. The kitchen features durable concrete countertops by local company Béton Johnstone, while white oak cabinetry provides sleek, streamlined storage. A wood stove and outdoor fire pit bring the countryside spirit into daily life, emphasizing the family's connection to their rural setting.
Throughout the interior, natural materials and durable finishes accommodate the active lifestyle of a family with young children without compromising the home's modern aesthetic. Natural light floods every space, including the guest bathrooms, thanks to strategic window placement and skylights. The primary suite's bathroom features Croma White six-by-six tiles in a spa-like shower, while custom concrete vanities by Béton Johnstone create serene retreats with countryside views.
Though the contemporary cabin marks a fresh start for this special piece of land, the family has preserved a meaningful connection to the site's history. Several statues from the demolished castle were saved and strategically placed throughout the surrounding cedar forest. A statue of the previous owner now watches over the new house from the tree line, and five-year-old Madeleine loves to visit and give the figure hugs.
"One day during construction, the builders put the statue up looking at the house as a joke," Alexandre explains with a smile. "Then we moved it back into the wood line. I think he's watching over us." This thoughtful gesture represents the family's respect for the site's unique history while embracing their new chapter in this woodland wonderland, where the scent of cedar and panoramic views create the perfect backdrop for their modern family life.
