A striking new residential project has been completed in the scenic Charlevoix region of Quebec, Canada, showcasing innovative architectural design that harmoniously integrates with the natural landscape. The Rang Ste-Mathilde Residence, designed by Jérôme Lapierre Architecte and completed in 2023, represents a masterful example of contemporary Canadian architecture that celebrates both family gathering and winter recreation.
Spanning 4,400 square feet, this impressive residence is strategically positioned along a rural road in La Malbaie, offering breathtaking panoramic views of surrounding fields, mountains, and the St. Lawrence River. The project serves as a dedicated gathering place for a large extended family united by their shared passion for winter sports and outdoor activities.
The architectural team, led by Jérôme Lapierre with Vincent Foster, conceived the residence on a former woodlot that has been thoughtfully transformed over time. The site features an intricate network of trails that were originally used for logging operations and have since been converted into cross-country skiing paths, creating a unique recreational landscape that directly influenced the building's design and positioning.
The clients' primary objective was to create a cherished destination for friendship, recreational activities, and relaxation - a space capable of comfortably hosting up to twenty people under one roof. This ambitious program aimed to establish a central convergence point for the entire extended family and future generations, emphasizing the importance of multi-generational gathering spaces in contemporary residential design.
Architecturally, the residence employs a distinctive T-shaped configuration created by the intersection of two primary volumes. This geometric arrangement generates three distinct wings: the entrance wing, the living wing, and the sleeping wing. Each wing extends in a different direction, strategically positioned to capture unique fragments and perspectives of the surrounding landscape, maximizing the connection between interior spaces and the natural environment.
The project is carefully situated at the edge of the forest, opening up dramatically to embrace the panoramic views while maintaining a respectful relationship with the existing woodland. This positioning allows the residence to serve as a bridge between the cultivated landscape and the wild forest, creating a unique spatial experience that changes throughout the day and seasons.
Interior design emphasizes the residence's chalet vocation through extensive use of cedar wood cladding throughout all interior spaces. This material choice creates a warm, cohesive atmosphere that directly references traditional Canadian cottage architecture while maintaining contemporary sophistication. The wood treatment provides both visual warmth and practical durability suitable for the harsh Quebec winter climate.
A large central core constructed of locally-sourced fieldstone serves as the heart of the home, housing both a dramatic fireplace and an elegant circular staircase. This central element provides both functional heating and serves as a powerful architectural focal point that organizes the surrounding spaces. The fieldstone construction connects the interior directly to the regional geological character.
The main living space unfolds as a generous open area, with the sunken living room defined by several steps that descend into the ground. This level change creates intimate seating areas while maintaining visual connection to the larger open space, providing flexibility for both large gatherings and smaller family moments.
The attic level has been specifically designed to accommodate the high number of potential occupants while carefully managing the overall scale and visual impact of the house from the exterior. The roof volume generates varied spatial experiences and diverse lighting conditions throughout the day, while offering new elevated vantage points for viewing the surrounding landscape.
This variety of scales throughout the residence is complemented by strategically placed skylights, expansive ground-floor openings, and a generous wraparound veranda that extends the living space into the outdoor environment. These elements work together to foster a privileged relationship with the site's distinctive landscape features, ensuring that occupants maintain constant connection to the natural setting regardless of weather conditions.
The project involved collaboration with several specialized manufacturers and craftspeople, including Atelier Du Bois David Gilbert for custom woodwork, Cabico for cabinetry solutions, Design Within Reach for furnishing selections, Ducharme for specialized building components, Lambert et fils for lighting design, and Shalwin for additional building materials. This collaborative approach ensured high-quality execution across all aspects of the project.
Photography by Maxime Brouillet captures the residence throughout different seasons and lighting conditions, documenting how the building's relationship with the landscape changes throughout the year. The images reveal the successful integration of contemporary architectural language with traditional Quebec building practices and materials.
The Rang Ste-Mathilde Residence demonstrates how contemporary Canadian architecture can successfully address the specific challenges of northern climate design while creating spaces that celebrate family connection, recreational activities, and the unique beauty of the Quebec landscape. The project serves as an exemplary model for large-scale family retreats that prioritize both comfort and environmental integration.
