Energy-efficient, this house overlooking the Richelieu River, and through which one can access Lake Champlain, is the fruit of the work of Elise Cloutier’s parents, happy to be able to tell the story of this avant-garde construction.
It all started 30 years ago, when Christian Cloutier, Elise’s father, retired. “My parents were looking for a piece of land on the waterfront that would give them access to Lake Champlain, because they were big sailing enthusiasts,” she says.
281, rang de la Barbotte in Lacolle proved to be perfect for their project of building a dream home that could accommodate their children and grandchildren. “They wanted to make it a gathering place with water as a playground.”
Ecological before its time
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Elise Cloutier and her dog Charlo
Retired from Hydro-Québec, Christian Cloutier was on the front lines to make informed choices about green energy. “My parents were inspired by the Viceroy house models with their abundant south-facing windows and installed a geothermal heat pump system,” explains Elise Cloutier.
They also planned a system of heat recovery ducts under the concrete floor slabs of the garage and the house based on the principle of passive heating, which was little known at the time. A major advantage since energy consumption is low for a house of this size.
With the same ecological concern, a pumping station installed on the land at the water’s edge uses water from the river to supply a system of watering pipes for the garden.
A nice dry house!
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Even though it is located on the banks of the Richelieu River, the house is considered non-floodable.
In 2011, during the major floods that damaged nearby properties, this one was spared. “We realized that the house was really safe and my parents did not need to leave the premises. It is also considered not flood-prone.”
After the death of her mother, who affectionately called her house “The Promised Land”, Elise Cloutier bought the family home and transformed it into a two-generation home to live there with her father from 2019.
She began major work to fit out a studio in the basement, had the entire interior repainted, then updated the kitchen, the two bathrooms and the laundry room.
The exterior is not left out since she has changed, among other things, the siding, the doors, the windows, the gutters, then repainted the sheet metal roof. Finally, for four years, she applied herself to giving a new lease of life to this building full of happy memories.
A nice place for the following
Mr. Cloutier’s health deteriorated last year and in December, he and his children decided to move into a residence to maximize their safety. “The house has become too big for me alone, that’s why I put it up for sale, even though it makes me sad.” Since the property has three bedrooms, in addition to the studio, it would be very suitable for a family who could also enjoy the pleasure of water activities.
In conclusion, Elise Cloutier would like to point out that this column pays tribute to her parents. “Both of them were able to combine know-how, patience and hard work, and were also able to pass on all this energy to their three children and fourteen grandchildren.”
View the property sheet
Property in brief
Asking price: $1,349,000
Municipal assessment: $914,100
Year of construction: 1993
Description: Property nestled on the banks of the Richelieu River, with three bedrooms, a studio in the basement, a double garage and an indoor swimming pool.
Land area: 4926 m2
Building area: 468 m2
Property tax: $5,687
School tax: $666
Brokers: Crystine St-Louis, Pierre Hallé, eXp Real Estate Agency