- Project: Spinone House
- Architect: Jérôme Lapierre Architecte
- Location: Canada, Potton, Quebec
- Year: 2023
- Area: 93 m2
- Photography: Maxime Brouillet
A Forest Retreat Rooted in Quiet Precision
Spinone House by Jérôme Lapierre Architecte is a serene architectural retreat immersed within the woodlands of Potton, Quebec. Conceived as a quiet dialogue between shelter and site, the residence engages the forest through transparency, restraint, and material honesty. The house does not compete with its surroundings; instead, it listens—resting lightly on its terrain, aligning with the natural slope, and letting the trees dictate its rhythm.
The structure’s humility is intentional. From the approach, it appears as a low, horizontal silhouette barely distinguishable from the landscape. The architectural language is clear and disciplined, reflecting a belief that simplicity, when executed with precision, reveals depth and authenticity.
Spatial Clarity and the Central Core
The interior plan is defined by a strong longitudinal organization that divides the dwelling into distinct functional zones. A central built-in core runs the length of the house, serving as both spine and boundary. It houses cabinetry, mechanical systems, and storage, allowing the flanking spaces to remain uncluttered and pure.
To the north lies the open living zone—a single, luminous expanse that merges kitchen, dining, and lounge into one continuous social space. A wall of glass opens fully to the forest, erasing the threshold between interior and nature. The terrace, directly extending from the living area, becomes a seamless continuation of the floor plane, creating a fluid gradient between architecture and wilderness.
The private zone to the south is more enclosed and introspective. Two bedrooms, each oriented toward filtered forest views, are separated by compact service spaces. The transition from the bright, open living area to this hushed retreat is marked by a subtle shift in scale and light, crafting a journey from exposure to enclosure.
Material Logic and Architectural Honesty
Spinone House is a study in material restraint. The palette is reduced to essentials—wood, glass, and metal—each used with clarity and intent. The timber structure, left exposed, reveals the logic of its assembly. Warm-toned interiors balance the cool daylight that filters through the trees, while the exterior cladding blends into the bark tones of the surrounding forest.
Every element follows a disciplined modular grid that governs proportion and rhythm. The built-in furniture, windows, and thresholds align precisely, producing a serene sense of order. This exactitude, combined with tactile warmth, creates a minimalist atmosphere that feels neither cold nor austere.
Environmental Responsiveness and Modesty
The project’s environmental strategy is rooted in passive design rather than technological excess. The dense forest canopy provides natural shading during summer, while the deciduous trees permit generous sunlight during winter months. Deep overhangs and a compact footprint minimize heat gain and loss, ensuring comfortable interiors year-round with minimal energy consumption.
By building lightly on the land—without excavation or unnecessary disturbance—the architecture preserves the site’s existing ecosystem. Rainwater is directed naturally through the terrain, and the minimal foundation footprint allows the forest floor to breathe.
This quiet sustainability is integral to the project’s ethos: architecture that coexists with nature through intelligence, not imposition.
The Essence of Spinone House
Spinone House is not a monument but a meditation. It is architecture stripped to essence—proportion, light, texture, and silence. It reminds us that design need not shout to resonate deeply. Through modest means, Jérôme Lapierre Architecte achieves a timeless synthesis of craft, landscape, and contemplation.
It stands as a lesson in humility: that true luxury lies in restraint, and that meaningful architecture is born when human intention meets natural rhythm.
