DES RAPIDES RESIDENCE

La maison arbore deux visages : un plus timide donnant sur le chemin d’accès et un autre s’ouvrant sur l’arrière et la grandiosité du paysage. Par le rez-de-jardin, la maison est en relation directe avec la rivière, tandis que depuis la galerie du rez-de-chaussée en double hauteur, elle propose une vue surplombante du cours d’eau sinueux, invitant à la contemplation.

Although clad entirely in wood, the Résidence des Rapides stands out from the region’s typical chalets, expressing the material through bold contemporary architecture. “Beyond covering the surfaces with wood, we wanted to work with this noble material in all its diversity, using its structural properties for the framework, playing with its nuances to create a unique exterior language, and diffusing its warmth in every nook and cranny of the house,” explains Marc-Olivier Champagne-Thomas, Associate Architect at Appareil.

Inside, from the floors, to the walls and beyond, wood envelops the spaces in its natural elegance. The material is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional. The wall separating the bedroom from the living room has been shaped to accommodate a niche for an office space, bathed in soft light from the window. From the kitchen to the foyer, from the bedroom to the entrance hall, the interior design favours integrated furniture and harmonises the spaces.

“We wanted to work with buildings in the same way we work with furniture. We were inspired by our Piloti bench, characterised by its exposed joints and absence of hardware. Through its exposed solid wood structure, the Résidence des Rapides creates a coherent, visible language, at the crossroads between object and architecture,” states Kim Pariseau, Founding Architect of Appareil.

The roof is a key element of the project, with its single-slope and eaves adding character to the house. Overhanging by up to 8 feet in some places, the roof forms protective galleries all around the house, with long covered passageways leading to the two front entrances and providing access to the back gallery.

Inside the house, the roof’s presence is felt from the ground-floor.

A design aiming for LEED Gold certification : The Résidence des Rapides was designed with concern for the environment. Its south-facing orientation aims to maximise the capture of natural heat in winter, while its generous roof overhangs are designed to mitigate the impact of the sun’s rays in summer, offering optimal thermal comfort all year round. Appareil also paid particular attention to the insulation of the home, with ICF foundations and insulation levels exceeding code requirements.

Celebrating wood in all its splendour, the Résidence des Rapides combines contemporary aesthetics with Nordic heritage. Using traditional assembly construction systems, the project embodies a happy marriage between architecture and design, bringing to life spaces that inspire contemplation and wonder at the beauty of its natural setting.