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The House on the Pond, or Maison sur l'Étang in French, is a secondary dwelling designed by Montreal-based Atelier Échelle. Located in the rural municipality of Austin in Québec, Canada, the project was completed in 2023. Created to complement the client's ancestral home on the same property, the house was envisioned as a compact yet versatile "jewel box" with a strong connection to its natural surroundings. The design of the 120-square-meter house is a modern reinterpretation of traditional Québec agrarian architecture. Atelier Échelle successfully navigated tight local building regulations, which capped the floor area, by maximizing covered terraces and creating a flexible interior layout. The house is elevated on an insulated concrete block foundation, with a lower level carved into the ground, and a mezzanine level built into the gabled roof. This design allows the building to adapt to the seasons, with expanded outdoor spaces in favorable weather and a cozy, protected interior during winter. The interior spaces are characterized by warmth, timelessness, and a connection to nature. A double-height living room on the main level is anchored by a wood-burning fireplace and large windows that provide expansive views of the adjacent pond and distant mountains. The kitchen features custom rift-cut white oak millwork and a gold-streaked white quartzite counter. The primary bedroom is located on the mezzanine level, while a children's bunk room is tucked into the subterranean level. The basement also includes a TV lounge and a bathroom. The choice of materials emphasizes durability, sustainability, and a respectful connection to the local environment. The exterior cladding and decks are made of Kebony, a sustainable, modified wood product. The interiors feature rift-cut white oak millwork and unlacquered brass hardware, which will develop a rich patina over time. A soft, putty-colored sandstone is used for the sunken fire pit, complementing the gold-streaked quartzite in the kitchen.
Project credits Architecture & Interior Design: Atelier Échelle Principal Architect: Mathieu Lemieux-Blanchard Location: Austin, Québec, Canada Completion Year: 2023 Photography: Maxime Brouillet Construction: Simon Fortin Millwork: Atelier Notre-Dame
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About
Atelier Échelle:
Atelier Échelle is based in Montreal with roots in New York. We are founded on the belief that design is best expressed in a holistic approach and thinking at multiple scales. We have been busy creating interiors, exteriors, furniture, and everything in between, and we love to think of our studio as a means of exploration, creation, and collaboration with our clients. Founded by Veronica and Mathieu Lemieux-Blanchard, Atelier Échelle evolves on the premise that a project developed on both exterior and interior scales unifies and enhances its architectural expression. Veronica and Mathieu met while studying for their Master's in Architecture at Harvard University. They subsequently pursued their respective careers in architecture and interior design before finally joining forces at Gachot Studio and eventually founding Atelier Échelle. Their experience ranges from institutional projects to hotels, restaurants, residences, and retail outlets of all sizes.
