Project: La Papillon Residence
Architecture: Luc Plante architecture + design
Design team: Luc Plante, Caroline Desbiens, Kim My Le Quoc
Technical team: Chantal Riendeau, workshop manager, Miriam Anctil
Interior designers: Anne-Marie Gill and Julie Hébert
Landscaping: Dominic Simard of Habitex
Cabinetmaker: Cuisiboutique
Location: St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Project end date: March 2020
Constructed area: 257 m2
Photo credit: Raphaël Thibodeau
The spectacular transformation of this house makes it easy to forget its modest origins. Its assertive form, which leaves no one indifferent, sets the house gracefully apart from its neighbours. The strong lines of the now grandiose butterfly roof create a sense of volume, giving the residence a decisively contemporary style.
Since the size of the original house ran counter to the buyers’ needs, the extension and complete refurbishment of the site gave the architects a wealth of creative options.
Given this wide latitude, which allowed the home to double in size, the ground floor has kept its cathedral ceilings in the open areas, and the large windows enable the early morning sunlight to flood in. The kitchen, with an imposing central island, allows guests to engage in animated conversation while enjoying a breathtaking view of the water. Generous windows added to the solarium at the back make it possible to gaze out at the flowing river throughout the seasons.
The contrasting wall surfaces bring out the mellowness of the wood right from the main entrance. The white wood slat ceiling amplifies the room height, giving it an expansive quality. The sleek, contemporary décor adds a finishing touch to the sense of fullness you experience from the outset.
The private spaces extend over two floors. The children’s quarters are at garden level, with a family room that extends onto the yard and appears dug into the rock. The yard is surrounded by a magnificent wooden walkway that wends its way to the dock.
The parents access their bedroom from the floor of the new section, using a private staircase that is no less spectacular. This unique second-floor bedroom has a cozy and private bachelor apartment feel. The balcony, artfully surrounded by a glass handrail, is perfectly symmetrical with the one on the ground floor. The outdoor terrace, offering views of the setting sun, is ideal for intimate late afternoon drinks.
The upper section of the original construction has been transformed into a work-from-home space, with a complementary terrace on the garage roof. Working from home has never been so enjoyable!
The exterior covering is a combination of stone, white brick (a reminder of the existing house), and wood, offering harmony and a variety of textures.
The carefully planned landscaping completes the La Papillon Residence project and enhances its architecture, which is characterized by its elegance and light.
This concept is the result of teamwork with the two owners, who are passionate about real estate and had been looking for a home with architectural potential by the water for several years. They actively participated in the project. More specifically, one of the owners and a designer friend were involved in all of the indoor finishing and accessorizing.
