Sitting on the west banks of Lake Memphremagog, the Lakeside Gallery Residence is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional barn volume typical to rural Québec. The design repeats the 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 by Atelier Échelle 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.
With the use of clerestory windows, each volume enjoys an abundance of natural light and is linked to one another via glass bridges that seem to hover above the land. Situated closest to the lake is the outdoor summer home — a 100-feet-long terrace encompassing an exterior kitchen, al fresco dining, fireside lounge, and heated pool. The indoor winter home is an open plan comprising kitchen, dining, lounge, and a piano bar. The living quarter houses the primary suite, office, wine cellar and pantry, and a powder room. The guest quarter is situated farthest from the lake and holds five bedrooms and a childrens’ lounge.
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 singles were custom-fabricated in a local workshop. The stonework visible at the terrace, garden, exterior kitchen, and fireplace is a mix of locally-found, 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.
Photography by Maxime Brouillet.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.