Design Challenge: Making a Statement & Achieving Equilibrium

2/22/2016Leave a Comment

This project is located in Léry, Québec; a quaint town situated on the south shore of Lake Saint-Louis. It was designed by local landscape architect Martine Boudreau (l’Espace Paysage) and installed by Matière de Goût. It took the team of 7 men 8 weeks (approximately 3000 hours) to complete the nearly 4000 sq. ft. job. The front and backyard contain over 900 sq. ft. of Graphix wall in Greyed Nickel, 3200 sq. ft. of Blu Grande slab in Greyed Nickel, 400 sq. ft. of Blu Grande slab in Onyx Black, and 400 sq. ft. of Industria paver in Greyed Nickel.

Goals

The goals were simple. The homeowners wanted a versatile & refined patio area in the backyard, and a grandiose entrance in the front, all in a contemporary style. The outdoor design needed to bridge the gap between the stately home and the landscape in achieving equilibrium between the organic and inorganic materials. The view of the property seen from the lake was also a priority in the design.

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Challenges

The property was purchased after a teardown, leaving only a few mature trees and an existing rocky shoreline. The homeowners were forced to compromise on their initial ultra-contemporary design: the municipality rejected their original architectural plan and insisted that the style be in keeping with the surrounding traditional fieldstone-clad homes. The result is a sleek & stunning modern structure with hints of traditional materials. The challenge lay in underlining and emphasizing the contemporary feel that the homeowners desired without competing with the landscape and clashing with the style of the other homes.

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