In Saint-Damien, Quebec, Anne Carrier Architectes completes Résidence Saint-Damien, a family home set on agricultural land at the meeting point of fields and mountain. The project responds to a clear ambition: to establish a permanent retreat that engages directly with the surrounding territory while supporting the daily life of a large family.
HOUSING
The residence occupies a site along the river’s edge, where open farmland transitions into forest. The architects organized the house as a linear volume that follows the natural topography. The form fragments in subtle shifts that mirror the river’s sinuous course and protect existing vegetation. This strategy reduces visual impact while reinforcing the dialogue between built structure and landscape.
From the approach, the building settles within a framework of mature conifers. The upper level features vertical wood cladding that echoes the rhythm and tone of surrounding tree bark. At ground level, a natural stone base grounds the structure and strengthens the perception of the upper volume hovering lightly above the terrain.
Vertical slats extend across the covered terrace, filtering light and reinforcing the relationship between interior and exterior spaces. This terrace traces a clear axis aligned with a nearby bridge crossing, opening views toward the fields. It connects the extremities of the house through a continuous circulation path that accompanies movement along the river. The main façade maintains a sustained visual relationship with the landscape.
The fragmentation of the linear form creates a central articulation that houses the entrance and staircase. This core establishes a clear transition between day and night zones. Living areas occupy the upper floor, where elevation ensures unobstructed views and generous daylight.
Material selection reinforces this clarity. Stone, wood, and steel structure the project both physically and visually. The architects employ these materials for structural and cladding purposes, inside and out, creating continuity and coherence throughout the residence. Their durability supports long-term use while maintaining architectural precision.
Wood decking defines the structural system. Its load-bearing capacity and slender profile allow the roofline to respond to orientation and views without compromising formal consistency. Beneath the roof, a continuous clerestory glazing band wraps around the building. This glazing preserves an uninterrupted connection to sky and forest, enhancing the sensation of a floating roof plane above the living spaces.
Résidence Saint-Damien establishes a balanced relationship between exposure and protection. Through careful siting, volumetric modulation, and a restrained material palette, the house integrates into its rural context while offering a composed and adaptable domestic environment. The architecture anchors itself in the territory and supports evolving patterns of family life over time.
