Canadian Architect

Ruby Cottage is a four-season retreat on Lac McGregor in Val-des-Monts, Québec, designed by Linebox Studio for long-time clients seeking a gathering place for their family. Perched lightly above the rugged Canadian Shield, the cottage appears to hover within the forest, its elevated form resting on slender columns that echo surrounding tree trunks. This approach preserved the natural rock face, avoided blasting, and maximized views toward the deep, clear lake. Kevin Bélanger Kevin Bélanger Kevin Bélanger Kevin Bélanger Kevin Bélanger Kevin Bélanger Clad in black metal siding, the structure recedes quietly into its woodland setting, camouflaged until glimpsed fro... More

The Granary is a mixed-use brewery, restaurant and townhouses in the agri-hood of Southlands Tsawwassen in Delta, BC, Canada, envisioned by Century Group Developments as a residential community intrinsically connected to the land and to the agricultural cycles of growing food that surround it. The Granary serves as a vibrant community hub, surrounded by farmland to the west and north. Andrew Latreille The building is one of the first key mixed-use buildings to be built in the development, directly across from the historic refurbished “Red Barn” community space. The scale of The Granary mirrors the barn and provides a vital commercial draw to community events that take place in the “market square” or historic fa... More

La CATHouse is the result of the transformation of an old duplex in the St-Henri neighborhood, built around 1885. The idea of creating an expansion that would highlight this former working-class building emerged from a meeting with a local craftsman trained in the arts in France. Specializing in the restoration of cornices, friezes, entablatures, and other metal ornaments of old Montreal buildings, this craftsman was able to impart his expertise in the design of a contemporary extension. Marc-Olivier Bécotte Marc-Olivier Bécotte The expansion is inspired by the metal sheds typical of Montreal’s back alleys, but with a novel approach: copper, traditionally used as a mere ornament, becomes the primary material.... More

MI1 is the first part of a triptych of three family homes along the Mille-Îles River in Laval. This first house, the brightest of the three, is clad in white bricks on which the seasons are painted, giving it a unique character in the neighbourhood.  Inspired by the vernacular language of Laval architecture at a time when the island was a resort area, the residence offers a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Canadian cottage with its gable roof.  Olivier Blouin The three volumes composing the house each contain a part of the program. The volume parallel to the street contains the garage, the entrance hall and the living spaces, while the other two, perpendicular to it, includes the rest areas. The Ma... More

Project Summary Riptide, noun [ rip-tīd ]: a strong current or tide flowing outward from a shore that results from the return flow of waves and wind-driven water.   This house, like it’s namesake implies, is a powerful oppositional force against the standard housing stock seen in all neighbourhoods across the nation. Riptide House is a case study to do better. The clients, an East Coast surfing family, wanted to build a home for themselves. A home that fits in with their established urban neighbourhood (walkscore of 74 and Bikescore of 83) while simultaneously addressing the environmental issues our society is facing. Stocked with an understanding of the historic neighbourhood vernacular, modern architecture, and Passive House... More