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Text description provided by the architects. The Alma-24 project is situated on the northwest shore of Lake Saint-Jean, the third-largest lake in Quebec, Canada. Boasting stunning panoramic views, the shoreline alternates between extensive sandy beaches and rugged rocky outcrops. This location was once home to an abandoned summer pavilion partially built on a protected coastal strip. Aware of the need to protect the environment and enhance its natural beauty, the new owners aimed to construct a single-family residence on a restored site. The initial phase involved dismantling the old structures, which allowed for the natural topography to be revealed, establishing the location of the future residence while minimizing deforestation.
The new residence was designed to serve as a gathering place for family and friends, while also providing an escape from urban life and a close connection with nature. The design prioritizes both the user and the natural environment, integrating local culture into the architectural language. Emphasis was placed on using natural materials to enhance the area’s wild authenticity, ensuring that the architectural interventions align with the regional identity and meet durability and resilience standards.
Positioned parallel to the shoreline, the residence capitalizes on the expansive lake views while freeing up the previously occupied coastal strip. The house merges seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a fusion with the rocks, a connection to the forest, and a panoramic window to the lake. To minimize the building’s footprint, a two-level design was chosen, with the upper level appearing to float above the site. From the site’s entrance, the composition utilizes the terrain’s natural unevenness to reduce the building’s visual impact, with only the semi-opaque facades of the upper volume visible, preserving the privacy of the lake-facing spaces.
Around the residence, wild and native species, compatible with the site’s climate, were planted to mimic nature and restore the property’s original character as they mature. The Alma-24 residence offers a dual experience: a summer house with semi-outdoor spaces connected to the rocks and beach, and a winter cottage with views over the frozen Lake Saint-Jean, providing warmth and comfort with wood accents. By strengthening the relationship between architecture and its unique context, Alma-24 offers residents a profound experience of the site’s identity through all four seasons. The Alma-24 residence has been recognized as a finalist in the 2023 Excellence in Architecture Awards by the Quebec College of Architects: https://www.oaq.com/ordre/prix/prix-dexcellence-en-architecture/prix2023-vote/alma-24/.
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE, HOUSES • QUÉBEC CITY, CANADA Architects: Maria José Benech + Stéphane Asselin
Area: 184 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs:Maxime Brouillet, Adrien Williams y Stéphane Asselin
Manufacturers: Alumico, Alumicor, Ardobec, Bois expansions, Ceragrès Montreal les bains, IC2 et UNICEL, Journault Jourplex , Maibec, Plomberie Ravary , Portes Bourassa , Prelco,
Stuv Architect: Maria Jose Benech Designer: Stéphane Asselin
Structure Engineer: Jean-Francois Bilodeau (Latéral Conseil)
Landscape Design: Réflex Paysage, Dave Jean (Réflex Paysage)
Constructor: Solutions Résidentielles, Michel Leblanc (Solutions Résidentielles) Structure Engineers: Latéral Conseil City: Québec City Country: Canada
