A Dialogue between Art, Landscape, and Materiality: House on the Lake

Designed by Atelier Échelle, House on the Lake stands on the western shores of Lake Memphremagog in Magog, Quebec. The project offers a contemporary reinterpretation of the archetypal Canadian barn, translating the form into a spacious complex designed for a pair of art collectors.

Four volumes, linked by suspended glass walkways, create a fluid living experience in which nature, architecture, and art converge.

House on the Lake: Responding to the landscape

The lake is the organizing principle for the entire complex, with every structural and spatial decision oriented toward capturing the views and, in particular, the sunsets over the water. Although the four volumes that comprise the project serve distinct functions, they communicate through a shared visual and material continuity.

The volume closest to the shore houses the summer home – a linear terrace spanning over 30 m with an outdoor kitchen, alfresco dining area, a lounge with a hearth, and a heated pool. Adjacent to this is the winter home, whose large open-plan interior features a kitchen, dining area, lounge, and bar.

The third, more intimate volume contains the private and service quarters, including the primary suite and study along with a pantry, wine cellar, and powder room. Finally, set farthest from the lake, the fourth volume houses the guest quarters, which comprise five bedrooms and a playroom. Floor-to-ceiling glazing, including motorized sliding sections with spans of over 15 m, eliminates all visual interruptions, maximizing the relationship with the landscape.

A tailored response

The interiors explicitly reflect the clients’ interests and requirements, with their art collection anchoring the spatial experience. The residence is further defined by site-specific art, custom furniture, and interior environments developed exclusively for the project.

Works by artist Simon Hughes reflect this approach. In the powder room, for example, murals define the perimeter, while a bronze plinth-style sink positioned like a central column frees the walls to emphasize the imagery. Hughes also designed the pool tiles, creating a playful contrast between their stylized iceberg pattern and the heated water.

The wine cellar, featuring white oak millwork set between a gravel floor and a bronze ceiling, includes custom racking designed specifically for the shape of Burgundy wine bottles.

A celebration of place and materials

Formally, House on the Lake is rooted in its site, echoing the recognizable profile of the Quebec rural vernacular. The structure combines reinforced concrete and steel with infill of dark, water-struck brick imported from Denmark. The custom-made cedar roof shingles complement the surrounding woodlands. Local black and gray Cambrian granite defines the terraces, gardens, and outdoor hearth.

Inside, the kitchen island is a monolithic block of rough-hewn stone, topped by a live-edge walnut slab with a charred finish. Replacing cabinets above the counters with a continuous band of glazing reinforces the priority given to the views.

House on the Lake translates a rural archetype into a sophisticated residential program. Landscape, art, and materiality coexist without strict hierarchies, while materials are chosen to celebrate the natural patina of time.

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