Grounding is a deliberate nautical manoeuvre in which a ship is allowed to rest on the seabed or along the coastline. Depending on the tides, this requires a precise understanding of their rhythms before the bow is directed towards land. Anchoring ensures that the boat remains stable, while towing allows it to be brought back on course when the tide returns.
In accordance with the cycles of the river, this project by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architects employs a similar logic of positioning, restraint and adaptation.
Location and existing conditions
The project is located on a narrow headland along the northern bank of the St. Lawrence River in St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec, and is part of a characteristic landscape surrounded by two sandy bays and scattered boulders. Originally, there was a small summer cottage on the site. It was close to the water's edge, and its relationship with the river was reinforced by its cantilevered position above the tides and the surrounding maple trees. This proximity to the water and the spatial qualities it provided became an important reference for the architects.
Project approach and limitations of the location
The original assignment was to demolish the existing cottage and build a new house. However, after an initial visit to the site, the design team decided to retain the structure. Its formal simplicity, covered terrace with views of the horizon and precise location prompted a revised strategy: to restore the building in order to retain the existing building rights and extend it with a discreet annexe connected to the existing building by a bridge.
Although the site is relatively large, the buildable area is severely limited by rising water levels and irregular boundaries for coastal protection. These conditions have led to a fragmented composition of separate pavilions within the permitted zone, while the original cottage has been retained in its non-compliant position above the river.
Preserving the existing cottage required drastic measures. The structure was lifted so that new piles could be installed, while the floors, walls and roof were reinforced and the exterior of the building was completely insulated. Raising the cottage also makes it more resistant to fluctuations in the water level.
Programme and spatial layout
The project is designed as a series of pavilions connected by a floating walkway above the recessed zone. The original cottage accommodates the main living areas, which face the river and allow plenty of natural light to enter. A subtly rotated eastern pavilion catches the morning sun and contains the master bedroom, which is separated from the communal areas. A third volume houses an annexe for the client's parents, facing the western bay. This layout supports communal living while maintaining a degree of separation between the different living areas.
The mass of the new pavilions is inspired by the roof lines of the cottage. Their shapes are reminiscent of both washed-up boat hulls and the rocks deposited on the site by the tidal movement. The fragmentation of the volumes creates a modest, homely scale: from the ground floor, the whole resembles a small cottage, while its full size is only visible from the air.
Outdoor spaces
The placement of the volumes creates a series of outdoor spaces. A main courtyard determines access and brings together the entrances to both houses. On the west side, the angular arrangement of the pavilions creates a sheltered courtyard, open to the river and protected from the prevailing wind, where the swimming pool is located. This space, which lies within the legal building boundaries, functions as an enclosed outdoor room with a view of the water.
Interior experience
Internally, the project unfolds through framed views and intersecting perspectives between the pavilions. Each opening offers a different view of the landscape, while the bridge introduces a transitional moment that leads to the original cottage. Within the living spaces, the existing wooden structure is exposed and reinterpreted, creating a dialogue between the preserved building and the new interventions.
Material strategy
The continuity of materials anchors the project in its surroundings. All volumes are clad in two shades of cedar wood. Darker cedar wood has been used on the primary exterior surfaces, referencing weathered wood and connecting with the coastal context and nearby buildings along the river. Lighter cedar wood has been used in alcoves, recesses and sheltered areas, emphasising the depth of the façades and the fragmented mass of the project. This lighter shade continues into the interior, reinforcing the visual continuity between inside and outside and emphasising the view of the river.
