On the southern shore of Lake Memphremagog in Potton, Quebec, lies the Counter-Slope House, a breathtaking creation by Montreal’s yh2 Architecture. This 4,530-square-foot masterpiece stands out by not standing out. Completed in 2024, it perfectly integrates into Canada’s dramatic woodland landscape, honoring its natural surroundings rather than competing with them.
The visionaries, Marie-Claude Hamelin and Loukas Yiacouvakis, approached the site’s steep terrain with a mindset of negotiation rather than alteration. Their architecture behaves like an invited guest, melding with the environment rather than dominating it.
Designing with the Land
The house comprises two distinct volumes that gently adapt to the land’s slope. Above each segment, a dual-pitched roof mirrors the surrounding landscape’s natural contours. This design choice cleverly reduces the building’s presence, making it appear as an integral part of the hillside.
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A treeline acts as a visual threshold between the house and the lake. Instead of traditional vistas, the windows provide glimpses of water peeking through leaves, crafting an ever-changing view that feels serendipitously discovered. Light sweeps through the house from various angles, creating a connection to the time, season, and the slowly moving natural world.
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Material Honesty and Architectural Restraint
Weathered cedar clads the exterior, its naturally fading hue blending effortlessly with the forested backdrop. Inside, the use of white oak and exposed timber infuses warmth and rhythm into the space. The wood remains unfinished, celebrating its raw beauty. Strategically placed black architectural elements enhance the dialogue between interior and exterior.
The Counter-Slope House embraces the inherent tension between architecture and nature rather than trying to erase it. It is a testament to the power of restraint and a brilliant encapsulation of yh2’s decades-long commitment to creating harmony between built and natural environments.
Sources & Links
Source: yankodesign.com