Project: Des Forges Residence / Location: Mauricie, Québec City (Canada) / Architect: Bourgeois / Lechasseur Architectes / Photos: Adrien Williams
Shaped by the steep topography and a cultural lineage tied to Les Forges du Saint-Maurice, Des Forges Residence takes on a bold, sculptural form that is both unexpected and unmistakable. Drawing from the region’s industrial history and natural setting, the house is conceived as an extension of the terrain, responding to the slope, vegetation and meandering curves of the St. Maurice River.
Bourgeois / Lechasseur Architectes have developed a practice rooted in Québec’s landscapes, with a focus on how architecture engages site, material and architectural heritage. At Des Forges Residence, this approach is expressed through a form that follows the river’s bends and allows the second story to read as a floating volume among the trees. Living spaces are cantilevered, creating a constant visual and physical connection to the surrounding forest canopy, the firm says.
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Approached by a driveway lined with towering pines, the residence gradually reveals itself as it rises above the sloping terrain. Positioned at the edge of the cliff’s erosion zone, the upper floor seemingly hovers above the landscape, with a gently curving profile clad in dark vertical siding that emphasizes its sculptural presence. Beneath, the exposed natural texture of the stone foundation anchors the house, while a steel structural system lifts the upper story to create a sheltered ground level defined by stone arches.
Municipal regulations—particularly restrictions on construction near the cliff edge—played a defining role in the home’s configuration. To preserve views while meeting setback requirements, the firm pulled the house back from the cliff, resulting in a plan composed of three wings that trace the river’s curves and settle into the terrain. At their center, a curving stair serves as the point of convergence, organizing circulation and reinforcing the home’s site-responsive form.
The arrival sequence follows this same geometry, as curved lines guide visitors toward a covered entry framed by a stone arch that lends the threshold a sense of protection and invitation. An arched wood-and-glass door marks the transition between inside and out, referencing the curving motif carried subtly throughout the home. Framed on four sides by arches inspired by Les Forges du Saint-Maurice, “echoing traditional natural stone masonry techniques,” the entry opens to reveal the stair beyond.
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At the heart of the home, the staircase becomes both a visual anchor and a spatial organizer. A wall clad in natural stone separates two spaces, while the upper level unfolds beneath a lattice timber ceiling. Material continuity—black spruce cladding on the exterior and knot-free cedar ceilings inside—strengthens this connection between indoors and out.
“In terms of spatial planning,” the architects explain, “the living areas and the master suite are located on the second floor, whereas guests and visiting family areas, as well as garages and utility rooms, are located on the first floor.”
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The connection between interior and landscape is most clearly articulated within the home’s primary living spaces. Floor-to-ceiling glazing visually extends the space outward, while exposed beams and a continuous wood ceiling add warmth and rhythm overhead.The main living area and kitchen share an open volume defined by a restrained palette of wood, white surfaces and dark accents.
Beyond the kitchen, the boudoir offers a quieter retreat centered around a substantial stone fireplace. Here, expansive glazing frames views of the St. Maurice River and opens onto a deck, where an exterior stair descends to a covered outdoor relaxation area nestled into the terrain. In these spaces, the house feels both grounded and elevated—anchored by material weight while visually immersed in its setting.
Reflecting on the project, the architects note, “This modern residence blends in respectfully with the landscape of the St. Maurice River. It demonstrates that the constraints of the site, as well as the region’s cultural heritage fed by folklore surrounding Les Forges du Saint-Maurice, can serve as a basis for a strong concept that generates quality architecture that is also environmentally aware.”
Cat Ford is an architectural designer and freelance writer in Boston.