Résidence Des Rapides | APPAREIL architecture

The Résidence des Rapides is nestled in the bend of the Diable River in Tremblant. From the street, its silhouette is barely visible, concealing the two floor residence that reveals itself majestically at the back, offering a breathtaking view of the Laurentians and the river in the backyard. 

Built as close as possible to the water, lulled by the gentle sound of the river’s flow and hypnotised by the current, the residence’s form comes from its integration within the sloping riverbank. This layout also provides privacy from neighbours. 

The house has two distinct facades: a bashful, timid side overlooking the access path, and another, opening onto the back, revealing the magnificence of the landscape. At the garden level, the house is in direct contact with the river, while the high-ceilinged ground-floor gallery offers an overhanging view of the winding waterway, inviting contemplation. 

A contemporary celebration of wood 

Although clad entirely in wood, the Résidence des Rapides stands out from the region's typical chalets, expressing the material through bold contemporary architecture. "Beyond covering the surfaces with wood, we wanted to work with this noble material in all its diversity, using its structural properties for the framework, playing with its nuances to create a unique exterior language, and diffusing its warmth in every nook and cranny of the house," explains Marc-Olivier Champagne-Thomas, Associate Architect at Appareil. 

Inside, from the floors, to the walls and beyond, wood envelops the spaces in its natural elegance. The material is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional. The wall separating the bedroom from the living room has been shaped to accommodate a niche for an office space, bathed in soft light from the window. From the kitchen to the foyer, from the bedroom to the entrance hall, the interior design favours integrated furniture and harmonises the spaces. 

An architecture and furniture design firm, Appareil marries different scales 

"We wanted to work with buildings in the same way we work with furniture. We were inspired by our Piloti bench, characterised by its exposed joints and absence of hardware. Through its exposed solid wood 

structure, the Résidence des Rapides creates a coherent, visible language, at the crossroads between object and architecture," states Kim Pariseau, Founding Architect of Appareil. 

The exposure of the residence's structure naturally creates subspaces, such as the entrance porch and its succession of vaults, creating a corridor inviting visitors to stroll along. At the back, wooden columns punctuate the floor to ceiling windows, amplifying the majesty of the site. 

The roof is a key element of the project, with its single-slope and eaves adding character to the house. Overhanging by up to 8 feet in some places, the roof forms protective galleries all around the house, with long covered passageways leading to the two front entrances and providing access to the back gallery. 

"We wanted to give the roof a sense of lightness, almost floating above the house. We deliberately avoided the use of lateral columns for its support, opting instead for an integrated approach where the body of the structure and that of the roof are harmoniously linked together, fitting like pieces of furniture," explains Marc-Olivier Champagne-Thomas. 

Inside the house, the roof's presence is felt from the ground-floor. To maintain a connection with the 15-foot-high cathedral ceiling in all rooms of the house, the walls of the master bedroom do not rise to the ceiling. This architectural gesture promotes a feeling of openness and fluidity, reinforcing the home's sense of space and luminosity. 

To accommodate their desire to grow old in this house, the occupants wanted their bedrooms to be close to the living space on the ground-floor. The residence is divided between this ground level, which features a veranda, kitchen, dining room and living room, as well as the master bedroom, and the garden level where two other bedrooms, and additional space can accommodate visiting family and friends. Outside, a sunken spa sheltered by the terrace above offers a moment of relaxation with a direct view of the river. 

When the house is fully occupied, the owner's floor becomes the public reception area, while the guest spaces on the garden level are more private. This layout builds a home centred around hospitality and sharing when family and friends get together. 

A design aiming for LEED Gold certification 

The Résidence des Rapides was designed with concern for the environment. Its south-facing orientation aims to maximise the capture of natural heat in winter, while its generous roof overhangs are designed to mitigate the impact of the sun's rays in summer, offering optimal thermal comfort all year round. Appareil also paid particular attention to the insulation of the home, with ICF foundations and insulation levels exceeding code requirements. 

In the interest of sustainability, the architects also incorporated an enhanced drainage system. This strategy ensures effective drainage of the site, crucial to preserving the integrity of this home in the heart of a valley. 

Celebrating wood in all its splendour, the Résidence des Rapides combines contemporary aesthetics with Nordic heritage. Using traditional assembly construction systems, the project embodies a happy marriage between architecture and design, bringing to life spaces that inspire contemplation and wonder at the beauty of its natural setting. 

Contractors: Fairfiled construction, Larix Construction 

Woodwork: Roland Grenier Construction, Daniel Casaubon 

Windows: Alumilex 

Lighting: Luminaire Authentik 

Photographer: Félix Michaud