On the lake side, this majestic house looks like an ocean liner that has anchored on the edge of a lake in the Laurentians, on a final journey. It is precisely this story that La Percée tells: that of a man who came to build his last residence on the land of his ancestors to leave his mark there in turn.
We have to go back to the 1930s to understand the attachment that Robert Heft felt for this corner of the country. At that time, his grandfather bought land to build on. It is there, on 400 acres of forest, that a small community made up of family members and friends gradually came to settle around two lakes, including the Revdor, dug by the ancestor. A myriad of memories and strong bonds, forged in the soil of Saint-Hippolyte, today form an affectionately woven quilt.
Having become a grandfather in his turn, the grandson did not hesitate to leave Montreal when he retired, to settle full time in this place which saw him grow up: “This choice of life was obvious. »
There was no shortage of time to feed the imagination and visualize every corner of this dream home.
To this 2D vision, the Mu Architecture firm added a third dimension in an ambitious shell which extends over three levels. The breach, which crosses the house from edge to edge in its center, is an intriguing invitation to discover the whole place. The project was also a Grand Prize winner at the last Grands Prix du Design.
From the street, the house presents an introverted profile. Designed in opacity, like a fault in the rock, a glass opening gives a glimpse of a warm interior, dressed in wood, stone and light. This breakthrough, which opens onto the canopy of the trees on the other side, also serves as a porthole into an interior that is magnificent from all angles.
Seen from the water, the residence reveals its colors in complete transparency. “There are terraces on three levels that evoke the decks of a boat, and that’s a bit of the image we have when we look at the lake house,” points out architect Jean-Sébastien Herr. The roof, triangulated like sails, opens up the perspective towards the sun and the treetops, while creating protected surfaces for the balconies. » From these terraces, which overlook the lake, we have the illusion of sailing in calm waters.
Noble and durable materials adorn the interior, notably a quartz which is found like breadcrumbs on three floors, and whose veining displays the genealogy of a soil. The texture of the slate can be felt underfoot. Despite the omnipresence of stone, the decor never appears austere. At the owner’s request, it is heated by four fireplaces: one per floor and the other outside.
“We feel peace and quiet as soon as we enter the house. There is an impression of balance between materials, textures and lighting,” describes Jean-Sébastien Herr, who signed this creation with Charles Côté, co-founder of Mu Architecture. The windows and glass walls, at full height, inject a quantity of light into the premises and frame nature which is presented to the eye like a painting.
An art collector, Robert Heft also needed partitions to display his works, which was carefully considered. In this space, the creations of indigenous artists fit naturally and echo abundant nature. The Revdor, where the owner learned to swim and waded for a long time, is also omnipresent.
The narrowness of the land is the constraint that sounded the death knell for the grandfather’s old wooden chalet. Vast and luxurious with its 620 m² (6,400 ft2) surface area, La Percée replaced the original building, but retains its soul and memory.
It may seem too large for a single occupant. “Each room has its own personality and allows you to experience different moments,” replies the latter. But above all, this liner reflects its captain’s desire to make it a place of welcome and gathering for his family – including his mother – and the brotherhood which occupies the neighboring houses.
The lake house fills up quickly, despite its size, on weekends – and during power outages, since it’s the only one with a generator in the area! Luxury and space serve hospitality. Each floor, accessible by an elevator, has its own lounge or boudoir. Each room has its own bathroom and balcony.
“I thought of my children and my grandchildren when building this house, always with this idea of continuity,” emphasizes Robert Heft. Generational connections are important to us and keep us very grounded. This residence is not an investment and I have no intention of selling it. I only have one expectation: that it will be a meeting place, in the future, for my descendants. »
