Des Rapides Residence

A contemporary wood house that celebrates the beauty of the natural material, this dwelling features interiors inspired by furniture design.

Built on a sloping site in Mont-Tremblant, Canada, Des Rapides Residence opens up to a striking landscape that includes the winding path of the Diable River and the Laurentian Mountains. Appareil architecture conceived the house as a building with a contemporary form that seamlessly merges architecture and design while giving a nod to the architects’ Nordic heritage. Crafted from wood, the dwelling celebrates the character of the natural material but stands out among the neighboring timber-clad chalets thanks to its modern aesthetic.

“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,” says Marc-Olivier Champagne-Thomas, Associate Architect at Appareil.

The architects nestled the house into the site with great care, resulting in a home that enjoys privacy from the nearby road; access to gorgeous views at the back; and optimal heat gain during the winter months. The slope allowed the team to create the illusion of a one-story house from the street, but at the back the residence reveals its second level. While the road-facing side has a mostly closed façade, at the rear the dwelling features impressive glazing. Angled to maximize access to views, the roof boasts extra-wide overhangs that mitigate the heat of the sun during summer and also shelter balconies and the pathways that surround the house.

A wood-based material palette that creates exceptionally warm and welcoming living spaces.

To create the interiors, the studio took inspiration from the concept of furniture design. At the same time, the team used wood with different finishes and colors to highlight the material’s charm.

“We wanted to work with buildings in the same way we work with furniture. We were inspired by our Piloti bench, characterized 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,” says Kim Pariseau, Founding Architect of Appareil.

A wood wall that separates the bedroom from the living room features a built-in nook for a desk and office chair. Elsewhere, the architects used integrated furniture to optimize the available space as well as function. Outside, placed underneath the top terrace, a sunken pool provides the perfect place for relaxation while admiring the views.

Following sustainable architecture principles, the project is eco-conscious. Apart from the abundant use of natural wood, the house has a south-facing orientation to optimize heat gain in the winter and large roof overhangs that provide shade in the summer. Additionally, the building boasts highly efficient insulation that exceeds LEED Gold requirements. Photography by Félix Michaud.