- Project: The House of la Baie de l’Ours
- Architect: ACDF Architecture
- Location: Canada, Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm, Québec
- Year: 2025
- Area: 445 m2
- Photography: ACDF Architecture
Nestled along the pristine shores of Lac Archambault in Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm, Québec, The House of la Baie de l’Ours is a striking retreat designed by ACDF Architecture. The residence is a masterful response to its rugged setting, combining panoramic views, privacy, and a material palette deeply rooted in nature.
Site and Concept
Set within a former summer camp clearing, the home takes advantage of a naturally open plot while carefully preserving surrounding vegetation and rocky outcrops. The design is centered around creating a strong dialogue between water, horizon, and forest, allowing the owners to immerse themselves in the beauty of the landscape without compromising privacy.
Three Distinct Layers
The house is organized into three complementary architectural layers:
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Timber frame and coffered roof: A monumental wooden canopy with deep cantilevers shelters living spaces and terraces, creating dramatic overhangs that blend protection with openness.
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Stone walls: Anchored into the bedrock, structural stone elements echo the natural terrain while supporting the roof and shaping circulation.
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Dark wooden volumes: Compact, private suites clad in wood provide intimate retreats for the family, contrasting with the openness of the central living zones.
This tripartite composition balances transparency and seclusion, offering expansive lake views while maintaining discretion from nearby paths and properties.
Layout and Program
The communal core—living, dining, and kitchen—faces west, opening directly to Lac Archambault. To the east and north, private wings house the primary suite, children’s rooms with ensuite bathrooms, and guest accommodations. A media room and sunken lounge with a central fireplace create cozy, flexible gathering spaces within the expansive open plan.
Material Palette
Warm timber, natural stone, and dark wood define the home’s serene aesthetic. Expansive glazing frames the water and forest, while covered terraces and outdoor courts extend the interiors into the landscape. The materials were chosen for their durability and their ability to blend the architecture seamlessly into its environment.
Outdoor Living and Landscape
The design emphasizes outdoor living with generous decks and protected terraces that connect seamlessly to site trails and the shoreline. Stone landscaping integrates the house with its natural terrain, softening transitions between architecture and wilderness.
A Private Refuge
The House of la Baie de l’Ours is more than a family retreat—it is an architectural statement of balance, where bold rooflines and structural clarity coexist with warmth, intimacy, and respect for nature. It captures ACDF’s philosophy of designing spaces that embrace contrast, heritage, and harmony with place.
