Partly resting on timber piles along the edge of a natural plateau in Quebec’s Magdalen Islands is Magdalen House by Atelier L’Abri. Drawn from the Magdalen vernacular — a gable roof, a one-and-a-half storey form, and a compact plan designed to withstand wind and salt air — the studio built a minimalist, contemporary dwelling that stays true to island tradition while opening fully to the Atlantic. 

Inside, the compact 185-square-meter footprint features a central core holding the kitchen, utility spaces, and bathroom, as well as a staircase to the mezzanine. Bedrooms catch the sunrise, while the social areas are bathed in sunset light through large glazing that keeps the landscape close at every turn. Double-height ceilings lend a sense of scale without growing the footprint.

The materials come almost entirely from the island, from cedar shingles for the roof and walls to eastern hemlock forming the exposed terrace and piles. Inside, the palette stays grounded in its surroundings, with pine flooring and natural stone surfaces underfoot. Local artisans and craftsmen helped shape the interiors into a tasteful, comfortable environment — a Quebec-based lighting manufacturer, an islander woodworker behind the custom millwork, and the works of Magdalen Islands artists and sculptors woven into the decor — making the house built, in ever sense, from its own place. Discover more by L’Atelier Abri.

Photography © Alex Lesage