L’Échouage Residence is situated on a slender promontory along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec (Canada). The site is defined by its dramatic setting between two sandy bays and scattered glacial boulders, with a mature maple grove providing intimacy and shelter. The location’s direct relationship with the river, reinforced by the original cottage’s cantilevered position above the tides, became the emotional and spatial anchor for the project.
Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
Initially commissioned to demolish and rebuild, the architects shifted course after their first visit, choosing instead to preserve the original summer cottage. Its understated form of this residential project, covered terrace facing the horizon, and grandfathered proximity to the water’s edge inspired a strategy of restoration and sensitive expansion. The existing cottage was lifted onto new piles, its structure reinforced and fully insulated, ensuring resilience against fluctuating water levels while retaining its nonconforming position above the river.
Programmatic Sequence and Fragmented Massing
Strict shoreline protection setbacks and rising water levels imposed severe constraints on the buildable area, prompting a fragmented architectural response. The project comprises a sequence of distinct pavilions, connected by a floating walkway that hovers above the regulatory boundary. The original cottage, now housing the main living areas, is oriented to maximize river views and natural light. An east pavilion, subtly rotated to greet the morning sun, contains the primary bedroom, while a third volume provides an accessory dwelling unit for the client’s parents, oriented toward the western bay. This arrangement ensures privacy and harmonious cohabitation, while maintaining a modest domestic scale at ground level.
Landscape Integration and Outdoor Spaces
The placement of the volumes generates a series of outdoor spaces that respond to the site’s topography and microclimate. A courtyard at the approach gathers the entrances to both residences, while the angled pavilions to the west form a sheltered inner courtyard. This sunlit space, open to the river and protected from prevailing winds, accommodates a swimming pool and creates a private, contemplative retreat within the regulatory setbacks.
Materiality and Visual Continuity
Material expression is central to the project’s dialogue with its environment. Cedar cladding in two tones distinguishes the volumes: a darker, weathered finish evokes the coastal landscape and riverfront vernacular, while a lighter cedar highlights recesses and cutouts, accentuating the fragmentation of the forms. This lighter wood continues into the interiors, fostering a sense of transparency and blurring the boundary between inside and out. The interiors celebrate the revealed wooden structure of the original cottage, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens to create a conversation between memory and innovation.
Architectural Narrative Delivered by Bourgeois / Lechasseur Architects
Every transition within L’Échouage Residence is choreographed to frame views and cross-perspectives, with the floating bridge serving as a moment of anticipation and surprise. Openings are strategically positioned to reveal shifting facets of the landscape, immersing occupants in the rhythms of the tides and the changing light. The design draws inspiration from beached boat hulls and the erratic stones scattered by glacial movement, grounding the architecture in both local history and the elemental drama of its setting.
MORE INSPIRING HOUSES ON ARCHISCENE
Founded in 2011, Bourgeois / Lechasseur architects have become known for their thoughtful public and private commissions across Quebec. Their work, deeply influenced by the province’s majestic landscapes and the cliffs of the Magdalen Islands, is characterized by an ongoing search for innovative, site-driven solutions. The firm’s portfolio includes the acclaimed Est-Nord-Est international artist residence and several projects in the Charlevoix region, underscoring their commitment to contextual, enduring architecture.
Technical Sheet
- Site: St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Québec
- Architects: Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
- Team: Olivier Bourgeois, Régis Lechasseur, Emmanuelle Champagne, Isabelle Auclair, Maxime Turbide, Lisa Hallé
- Contractor: Cas par Cas
- Photography: Adrien Williams
More of this striking riverside project in oru gallery:
For more projects by Bourgeois / Lechasseur Architects log on to the architects official website page: bourgeoislechasseur.com. Also, discover the Forest Glamp Project designed by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architects
