On 55 acres of land mainly occupied by a nature reserve, Elise and Jack’s Siamese twins are surrounded by an old orchard, a large pond and a stream. Buried in this abundant setting, they reveal themselves to intimates and the lucky ones. They then reveal a modest architecture inspired by local agricultural buildings and a two-headed silhouette tailor-made for the atypical needs of its occupants: living together… everyone at home.
It is around a dream of the countryside that the worlds of Élise Guillemette and Jack Jacob came together. It took two words – “why not!” » – fueled by a strong desire to change their lives so that they sold their respective apartments in the city, made a career change and made the jump full time to the Eastern Townships. He hoped to find a large piece of wooded land; she craved silence. After a year of research, they made this almost perfect find.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
A stream runs through the 55-acre property, more than half of which is a nature preserve.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
The large pond has been oxygenated and is now suitable for swimming.
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It was one of those winter days when birds chirp in the bright sunshine. On the land, owned by a non-interventionist ecologist, nature had taken over and suggested a rich biodiversity. “There was something wild about it. We had the impression of feeling the presence of animals and we were already comfortable, describes Élise. When we walked into the house, it was love at first sight. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Élise Guillemette swapped her position as advertising director for that of freelance writer, while Jack Jacob, founder of the wine import house Glou, moved his offices to the countryside.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
The large pond has been oxygenated and is now suitable for swimming.
Modest in its dimensions and decor, the place nevertheless had a certain character: large beams on the ceiling, walls lined with natural paneling, an abundance of light thanks to a well-targeted orientation. Outside, a wooden covering cut directly into the ground aroused respect. These assets dictated the rest of the project.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
The couple dreamed of having a dog, which was achieved with the arrival of a French spaniel named Polo, who found a vast expanse of forest on this land to explore.
Élise lived alone for a long time. I lived with my son. We knew we each wanted our own room and office. Hence the idea of duplicating the structure so that everyone can have their own apartments, while sharing common spaces.
Jack Jacob, co-owner
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
The house has large openings which offer a view of Mount Sutton and abundant nature.
One house, two gables
To the existing building, completely renovated while retaining most of its configuration and key elements, another was added in the same dimensions and creates a mirror effect. Between the two, a glass walkway on either side provides the connection. This illusion is signed by Atelier 3/4 fort and its founder, Francis Rollin.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
The glass corridor opens on either side of the grounds: a perfect place to read or have a morning coffee.
“ It’s a strategy that we have already seen with other designers, but rather than making a translation, we shifted the buildings,” explains the latter. This gesture made it possible to integrate a large terrace which forms a bridge with the land and to preserve a larch which is highlighted in the windows. The openings strategically frame other points of interest, such as the curves of Mount Sutton, majestic from the kitchen, and century-old trees.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Élise likes to cook, while Jack manages the cellar. “We make a great food and wine pairing! », says Élise, laughing.
What I like about this project is its scale. We are not in the superlative, in useless square footage where we get lost. Every space is optimized.
Francis Rollin, designer of housing and architectural objects
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Designed by Atelier 3/4 fort, the staircase becomes a podium.
The original house, intimate with its low ceilings and its surface area of 24 ft x 24 ft, now accommodates the kitchen and dining room on the ground floor, as well as Élise’s apartments upstairs. The new construction, which adopts the same footprint, follows the sloping topography of the land and unfolds under a cathedral ceiling. It houses the family room as well as the quarters of Jack and his 12-year-old son, Marius, who is present every other week. The configuration of the premises allows you to be together or to withdraw if necessary.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
On the wall of the family room, a large bookcase extends to the mezzanine and its gable. It is accessed by a grated walkway.
“Going down to the living room creates a break conducive to relaxation and a feeling of freedom,” underlines Francis Rollin, who admits to having had more fun in this part which integrates more modern elements and architectural objects. Despite their different characters, the two structures respond nicely to each other in a whole that combines the old and the contemporary.
Uniting two universes
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“The fact that there is a fireplace in the kitchen is a great luxury,” emphasizes Élise. We light it every day. »
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PHOTO RAPHAËL THIBODEAU, PROVIDED BY ATELIER 3/4 FORT
The kitchen, which extends across the entire width of the old building, offers a striking view of the Round Summit of Mount Sutton. The counters, in weathered concrete, were made by Béton Johnstone, whose workshop is located in Granby.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
The result is efficient and enveloping with its abundance of wood and two fireplaces which are enough to warm the space. The sobriety of the place reveals a generous landscape.
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“It was the first time that a couple had asked us for two separate spaces. It’s a super interesting constraint. While we often see friction around the layout, there was good understanding in this project, notes the designer. Everyone made their own demands for their neighborhoods. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
In Marius’s room, the cupboard is topped with a bed which can accommodate visitors.
It stood to reason that the old part, with its period character, would accommodate the apartments of Élise who owns several antiques, while Jack has an affection for the Mid-century. While one likes everything to be tidy, the other lives well in a certain chaos.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Located on the mezzanine, Jack’s office offers an enviable view of a mountain landscape.
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PHOTO RAPHAËL THIBODEAU, PROVIDED BY ATELIER 3/4 FORT
More open with its 30-foot-high cathedral ceiling, the new construction offers a contrast with the intimacy of the old part.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
In Élise’s quarters, the original pine floors have been preserved and give the space an old charm.
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PHOTO RAPHAËL THIBODEAU, PROVIDED BY ATELIER 3/4 FORT
In an effect of light and shadow, Jack’s bathroom finds its counterpart in Élise’s.
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With our characters and our ways of living, this configuration was an investment in the health of our relationship. This house is a source of harmony and it is its configuration which allows it.
Élise Guillemette, co-owner
As the snow melted, the terrain revealed a fallow meadow where flower and milkweed tillers grew. Gradually, the former townspeople planted fruit trees and restored the old orchard, while seeking to minimize their footprint as desired by the former owner. “Never – not even for a second – have we regretted this life choice,” insists Jack, who now describes himself with humor as a sommelier-lumberjack. His first purchase was a power saw, followed by a tractor.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Élise’s bathroom stands out with its terrazzo floor and cream-colored concrete counters, made by Béton Johnstone.
As for Élise, she now opens her windows wide. “In town, the noise meant that they remained closed all year round. In the countryside, it’s the wind in the trees that we hear. Since we’ve been here, we’ve been going to bed very, very early. There are no curtains in the house. We follow the sun! We arrived in a state of advanced fatigue and, after three years, we feel that we are finally recovering. I stopped running. I walk. »
Visit the Atelier 3/4 fort website