The Moulton Hill Residence, situated in Québec’s Eastern Townships region, is a major renovation and extension project of a house built in the 1960s. This original single-story dwelling stood on a vast rural property amidst hills and natural landscapes.
The architecture and design of this project was completed by 1628 inc. and led by Annie Charest and François Parenteau, while the interior design was done by David Betts.
The owners, who are avid collectors of cars, initially wanted to make modifications to the house in order to accommodate their collection of eleven vehicles. Simultaneously, the notion of extending the residence to encompass a master suite enticed them, fueling their desire to modernize their home.
Enamored by the contemporary aesthetic, the owners chose to renovate the outer structure, following shapes, volumes and clean lines. As a result, the windows and a substantial portion of the exterior cladding underwent replacement, intentionally distancing the design from its preexisting country-style appearance.
New volumes were also designed before being covered with concrete and wood cladding, while some original granite facades were retained. The architectural composition combine new materiality and old, creating a juxtaposition of materials and dimensions.
The overall shape of the building was developed into three volumes, arranged around a new courtyard. By elevating portions of the existing roof, the architectural balance of the building was enhanced and elevating the spatial quality of interior areas. The newly integrated windows served as valuable assets, insulation, solar thermal gains, and natural light.
Landscape architecture was meticulously crafted to grant access to the newly incorporated basement garage and facilitate entry to the ground level of the dwelling. On the facade, the main entrance features a suspended, meticulously textured concrete slab characterized by simple lines.
One of the most captivating aspects of this project lies in the building’s transformation. The external transformation introduced an entirely fresh architectural concept, effectively recalibrating the proportions of the building. These modifications will benefit homeowners, both within their living spaces and in the outdoor areas.
The design concept emerged from the clients’ preference for incorporating flat roofs into the new architectural composition. Through a comprehensive analysis of proportions and budget constraints, the concept integrated the existing pitched roofs with the innovative flat roofs. This concept not only enhanced the quality of the interior living spaces but also fostered a sense of equilibrium and harmony in the overall design.
The initial contemporary addition is the master suite, positioned at the rear of the structure. To establish a cohesive link between this new volume and the remainder of the house, the roof above the living room and dining room was elevated. This elevation prompted a reconsideration of the entire building envelope—both in terms of materials and windows—to achieve a unified and purposeful design.
A primary focus of the new annex and the reorganization of the existing layout was to eliminate compartmentalization and cultivate open spaces. This intent was realized through the use of frosted glass walls to delineate specific areas, such as the secondary bathroom positioned at the core of the composition and the master suite extension. Numerous preexisting walls were also removed, introducing an ethereal quality to the composition. Additionally, the raised roof sections contributed to an airier and more expansive ambiance within the communal areas.
The innovative roof structure combines exposed steel decking with wooden beams, infusing the interior with character that resonates with the exterior materials. Additionally, precast concrete on the facade serves as a distinctive entrance marker, suspended by a steel framework. Its elevated placement and linear attributes significantly shape the composition, contributing a striking contemporary identity to the building. The strategic pairing of materials, such as concrete, with the existing stone cladding establishes a visual link between old and new, redefining the residence’s look. The interplay of geometric volumes, clean lines at the convergence of walls and windows, and varying wood tones collectively enhance the design’s depth, subtlety, and sophistication.
In the early stages of the project, the possibility of a complete demolition and reconstruction was assessed. However, a thorough economic analysis indicated that retaining the existing structure would yield greater benefits. Notably, from an environmental standpoint, preserving the original framework led to a substantial 22 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, critical installations such as the electrical entry point and the central heating system, among others, were conserved and modernized.
By harnessing an array of architectural techniques, sensory considerations, technical expertise, and topographical insights, the architects devised a project that not only revitalized the original building and its surroundings but also transformed the inhabitants’ way of life.