Architect’s Firm: DESK architectes
Contact e-mail: info@deskarchitectes.com
Project Location: Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada
Completion Year: 2017
Gross Built Area: 418 square meters (4 500 square foot)
Lead Architect: Etienne Duclos, architect
Structural engineer: Pierre Gosselin ing.
Contractor: K.D.G. construction inc.
Photo credits: Maxime Brouillet

This is a look at the back of the house that has elements of dark tones, beige tones and glass elements.

This is a front view of the house that showcases the beige lower half and dark upper half. These are then complemented by the lush landscaping.

The side of the house has a covered area that is fitted with a wooden picnic table for an outdoor dining area.

This outdoor dining area has a clear view of the water scenery. This is topped iwth a large section of the house with glass walls.

This is a close look at the foyer of the house with a glass door that brightens up the wooden walls and ceiling.

This foyer leads to the great room that houses the living room, dining area and kitchen.

This great room has large glass walls that give a clear view of the water scenery beyond.

This is the kitchen with white modern cabinetry on its walls and large kitchen island that houses the cooking area.

This kitchen island is paired with white modern stools for a breakfast bar topped with pendant lights.

There is a glass back door exit at the far corner of the kitchen cabinetry that are contrasted by the black countertops.

This is the large pillar of the of the kitchen that also houses the modern fireplace of the living room. This is complemented by its black marble paneling.

This is a close look at the staircase of the house that is illuminated by the tall glass wall on the far side.

This is a close look at the staircase that has light wooden steps that contrast with the black wrough iron railings and banisters.

This is a look at the small area beyond the staircase on the lowest level fitted with a comfortable reading nook by the large glass wall.

This is an angled look at the staircase showcasing more of its light wooden steps and contrasting black wrought iron railings.

This is the indoor balcony above the living room with a black wall on one side as part of the large pillar that houses the fireplace. this area has glass railings on the side to maximize the view.

This is the simple kid's bedroom with a pastel-toned four-poster wrought-iron bed at the far corner by the tall window paired with a wooden bedside drawer bearing a table lamp of the same tone as the bed.

This bathroom has a floating modern vanity that has wooden drawers underneath the white countertop that matches with the walls and sink.

This bathroom has a glass-enclosed shower area, a freestanding bathtub at the far corner by the window and a floating wooden vanity with white countertop.

This is a close look at the head of the bed that has a dark wooden frame that stands out against the white walls, and sheets.

Across from the bed is a large glass wall and a chair at the far corner as a reading nook.

This is a nighttime view of the back of the house that showcases the warm glow of the windows making its stand out against the surrounding dark forest.

This is an illustrated representation of the house implantation and its position in the area.

This is an illustrated representation of the main level floor plan of the house.

This is an illustrated representation of the second level floor plan of the house.

This is an illustrated representation of the basement level floor plan of the house.

This is an illustrated representation of the side elevation of the house.

Located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Sorel, the residence is positioned to benefit from the natural topography of the site. From the road, the long and narrow land is relatively flat over most of its area, except at the end of the lot where a significant height difference makes it possible to reach the river. This characteristic determined the location of the residence; an opportunity to have a garden level totally open on the river.

The residence is programmed in 3 large volumes for 3 precise functions; the service block, the day block, and the night block. The service block and the day block are covered with wood siding, well anchored to the ground to bind the inside and the outside.

The night block is covered with black steel and placed on the other two blocks, like the containers loaded on the cargo ships that parade daily on the river. The arrangement of the 3 volumes creates a void, a completely windowed space on the river, which houses the grand staircase and the main entrance, space where all the circulations meet.

The location of the openings was carefully chosen so that each corridor opens onto a window and each door reveals a section of the landscape. The panorama is directly related to the spaces of the house. T

o further reduce the fine line between the inside and the outside, the exterior finishes go on inside; the cedar planks of the siding and soffits are found on the walls of the vertical circulation, as well as on the ceilings of the ground floor; the concrete floor of the entrance and the terrace continues on the ground floor and at the garden level with a polished concrete floor.

The G + C residence, with sober volumes and simple lines, is organized in an efficient way and offers sensible open spaces on the river for a young family from Sorel.