Set along a riverbank on an expanse of farmland in Saint-Damien, Canada, Résidence Saint-Damien was designed by Anne Carrier Architectes for a family looking to put down roots on their own land — and the result is a home that feels like it grew there.

Its linear volume slots between mature conifers and the tree line, preserving the existing vegetation almost entirely. The base is made of heavy natural stone, with rectangular windows punctuating the facade at regular intervals. Sitting atop it is an upper level that hosts the living area, one end cantilevering over the base to form a ground floor patio.

The upper volume is clad in dark vertical wood, which mirrors the rhythm and tone of the surrounding tree bark. A covered terrace wraps around the entire length of the main facade, connecting both ends of the house and opening it up to generous light and open views.

Wood, stone, and steel are consistently used throughout the home, their durability crucial to weathering the Canadian climate. Wood decking handles the structural loads while keeping profiles slim, allowing the roofline to shift in response to views and the sun.

The residents are afforded views of the sky from almost every room by the continuous band of clerestory windows, reinforcing the sense of a roof that floats above the spaces below.

Grounded without being heavy, this family retreat changes with the light, the seasons, and the family living in it. Follow Anne Carrier Architectes for more projects.

Photography © Paul Dussault