The Siamese Siamese of Sutton | The mirror effect

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.

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. »

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.

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.

“ 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.

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.

“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

“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. »

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.

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.

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