Excerpt: Résidence de la Promenade by Lemay Michaud features an interplay of volumes and openings, offering occupants panoramic views of the outdoors. Two rectangular volumes run parallel to the St. Lawrence River on the ground floor, while a third volume sits perpendicular above, forming the upper level. This thoughtful composition of the residence maximizes the site’s views, creating a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] The interplay of volumes and openings that make up the architecture of this residence offers its occupants panoramic perspectives of the outdoor environment, while preserving their privacy. On the ground floor, two rectangular volumes are placed parallel to the St. Lawrence River, along the edge of the cliff. A third volume, placed perpendicularly above, forms the upper floor. This deliberate use of composition of volumes takes advantage of the site and its views, thus creating strong connections between the interior and exterior.
The building’s architecture blends masonry on the ground floor with wood on the upper floor. The light gray brick of the first level, with nuanced and textured tones, creates a mineral base for the house, reminiscent of the cliff. The large volume of wood on the second level, in contrast to the brick on the first floor, also offers a natural materiality, and its white cedar cladding adds lightness to the volume. The choice of materials allows the whole to harmoniously integrate with the wooded environment of the site.
In the backyard, spacious concrete terraces and a suspended Cliffside pool enjoy maximum sunlight throughout the day, adding a distinctive touch to the outdoor space. The residence’s open, clean, and abundantly windowed living spaces offer breathtaking views of the mature trees of the cliff and the St. Lawrence River. The simplicity of the interior design allows the spectacular views to be constantly highlighted, creating bright and soothing atmospheres.
Flowing seamlessly with the exterior architecture, the materiality of the interior design is composed of raw and natural textures. Wood and brick are present, dressing the interiors to create a strong connection with the exterior, and seeking to perfectly harmonize the ambiances of the residence.
An architectural staircase at the center of the house acts as a central pivot and leads to more private spaces on the upper floor. The basement, partially open to the lower ground, bathes the spa relaxation areas in natural light, while the house’s playrooms and technical areas are embedded in the cliff floor.
All interior elements of the house are custom-designed. A few simple touches of color are subtly integrated in places to enliven the spaces dedicated to play, and to add a playful touch for the young users who will occupy them.
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