Matière Première Architecture touched up a lakefront Canadian A-frame with white paint, a woodburning fireplace, and a suspended feature in the loft that looks out over the water.Text byGrace Bernard

Project Details:

Location: Estrie, Canada

Architect: Matière Première Architecture / @mpa_nudrom

Footprint: 807 square feet

Builder: Nu Drom

Photographer: Ian Balmorel

From the Architect: “Charmed by the ever so popular A-frame cottage typology, the new owners of this 1950s property aspired to renovate and revitalize this cottage into the 21st century. Located in the Eastern Townships near Montréal, this unique structure sits on an evergreen forest, nearly touching the water. The three-seasons cottage had been long neglected, so the new owners approached a resourceful local studio, Matière Première Architecture, and its affiliated construction company, Nu Drom, for a redesign. Obtaining a simple brief of honoring the A-frame typology, with an emphasis on an ecological approach, the architects designed a series of spaces that promote its juxtaposition with the water, while optimizing the available space of the cottage for better usage.

“The project was designed to host a series of fluid and relaxing spaces, while offering a close relation to the lake. The architecture beautifully captures the natural landscape that unfolds beyond its structure and becomes fundamental to the living spaces, offering its occupants an intimate and cozy experience. The A-frame silhouette produces playful spaces, while continuously offerings views toward the lake.

“Designed as a beach house, the interior design emphasizes on lighter tones in shades of white and sage to promote a relaxed feel. It also embraces casual furnishings with welcoming rugs and linen accessories to add warmth to the living spaces. The architects selected local, sustainable, and durable materials like white pine flooring, exposed timber framing, and painted spruce boards. The exterior design focused on more durable materials such as natural white cedar siding, metal roofing, and aluminum windows. These materials contribute to a controlled aging of the cabin without risking its longevity.

“The cottage integrates multiple living spaces within its relatively small footprint. The A-frame main large window was shifted toward the interior to accommodate a larger exterior dining area, followed indoor by the living room and dining nook, all offering a spectacular view of the lake through the large windows. The new stair was relocated to a more discreet position at the rear of the dining nook leading to a mezzanine. Nestled above the living room, it offers a cozy reading net facing the lake, while removing the need for a railing.”

Photo by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: exterior, cabin building type, wood siding material, a-frame roofline, metal roof materialPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: outdoor, back yard0 of 3 minutes, 27 secondsVolume 0%00:2003:27 Photo by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: outdoor, back yardPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: living roomPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: living room, rug floors, wall lighting, light hardwood floors, chairPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: living room, light hardwood floors, wall lighting, ottomans, standard layout fireplace, chairPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: living room, wall lighting, light hardwood floors, bench, pendant lighting, sectional, tablePhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: living room, light hardwood floors, table, wall lighting, bench, pendant lighting, sectional, ottomansPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: hallway, light hardwood floorsPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: kitchen, wood counters, wood backsplashes, range, range hood, light hardwood floorsPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: kitchen, range, light hardwood floors, wood counters, refrigerator, wood backsplashesPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: bedroom, bed, pendant lightingPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: outdoorPhoto by Ian BalmorelPhoto Categories: outdoor, side yard