La Maraude is a dwelling offering a contemporary interpretation of Quebec’s architectural traditions. Designed by Nathalie Thibodeau Architecte, the simplicity of its forms, the use of durable materials, and its relationship with the surrounding landscape reflect an engagement with the province’s built heritage. Located in Boileau, in the Outaouais region of western Quebec, the house is conceived as part of a broader, ongoing approach, in alignment with its environment, while accommodating contemporary requirements for comfort and functionality.
A site shaped by the forest
Set on an expansive site along the Maskinongé River, the project responds to a brief that prioritised integration with the forest. Rather than occupying a position directly along the riverbank, the house is placed within the trees, establishing a more sheltered and intimate setting.
The project forms part of a broader strategy for the site, structured around a network of smaller, distributed places across the landscape. Each is intended as a place of retreat, with family members invited to shape their own spaces over time. Some of these are already in place, while others are anticipated, with the house acting as a central base.
Form, material, and vernacular reference
The design draws on Quebec vernacular architecture, referencing simple rectangular volumes, steep gable roofs adapted to snow conditions, and sequences of outbuildings with varied alignments. These principles are translated into a contemporary language while maintaining clarity in form.
Material choices reinforce this approach. The exterior is clad in natural cedar shingles and topped with a metal roof — both durable materials commonly associated with the region. Through its restrained palette and considered proportions, La Maraude establishes a connection between contemporary construction and local building traditions.
A sequence of volumes
The house is composed of three distinct volumes, establishing a gradation of privacy and varied relationships to the landscape. The first pavilion, the most compact, contains the main entrance and service spaces. It is organised as a series of functional rooms, with a focused opening at the entry hall.
The second volume accommodates the living spaces. Higher ceilings and large glazed openings bring natural light deep into the interior, creating a sense of transparency through the building. This arrangement maintains a constant connection with the forest, allowing the house to respond to seasonal changes in light.
The third pavilion accommodates the bedrooms and is set apart to provide a greater degree of privacy. Arranged over two levels in response to the site’s topography, it adopts a more contained expression. Openings are smaller and carefully positioned to frame specific views of the forest, introducing a sequence of shifting scenes across the seasons.
Terraces and orientation
Along the dwelling’s central living axis, two terraces extend the interior spaces outwards. A north-facing terrace oriented towards the mountain offers a more sheltered and enclosed setting, while a second terrace to the south opens towards the descending landscape and the river beyond, providing a broader and more exposed vista.
