Residence Terrebonne by Saucier + Perrotte Architectes – A Sculptural Riverside Retreat Blending Wood, Concrete, and Light

Located in Terrebonne, Québec, Residence Terrebonne by Saucier + Perrotte architectes is a masterfully crafted riverside home that merges architecture, landscape, and light into one harmonious composition. Designed to embrace its narrow, elongated plot—once agricultural land—the 724 m² residence captures uninterrupted views of the Mille-Îles River while maintaining privacy from its closely situated neighbors.

A Minimalist Form Open to the River

The home’s exterior expresses a bold yet understated architectural language. The main volume is a square, single-story pavilion, enclosed by solid concrete side walls that shield the home laterally while fully opening the long façade to the river. Above this grounded base, the master suite emerges as a sculptural vertical extension, creating a subtle stacking effect and emphasizing the home’s relationship with the landscape.

Clad predominantly in black zinc, the house presents an abstract, monolithic form that obscures its domestic scale. This minimalist shell contrasts beautifully with the warm interior materiality revealed within.

An Innovative Timber Framework

At the core of the project is an intricate, meticulously engineered walnut wood structural grid that spans the entire interior without the need for conventional columns. Timber pieces interlock with precision to form a self-supporting system, giving the interior both openness and rhythm.

Along the rear elevation, a series of slender H-shaped steel columns support a dramatic, floor-to-ceiling glass wall that frames the river like a living panorama. This transparency floods the interior with natural light and reinforces the home’s connection to nature.

Light-Filled Volumes and Integrated Living Spaces

The interior unfolds as a continuous, open living environment anchored by a sweeping white steel bookshelf wall. This sculptural element runs through key areas—including the kitchen, entrance, children’s zone, and garage—serving not only as storage but also as a concealed conduit for mechanical and electrical systems.

A striking white staircase cascades from the upper-level master suite like a sculptural ribbon. Positioned beneath a large skylight, it becomes a luminous centerpiece drawing daylight deep into the home.

The master suite itself is a serene retreat, featuring a boudoir, spa-like bathroom, dual walk-in closets, and a sprawling private terrace overlooking the water.

Family-Oriented Design with Natural Comfort

The children’s area lies near the entrance for natural separation and privacy. Here, double-layered insulated concrete walls provide acoustic comfort and thermal stability while blending seamlessly into the architectural language of the home.

Throughout the residence, the interplay of wood, concrete, glass, and filtered daylight creates a warm, contemplative environment that evolves with the seasons.

A Landscape Shaped for Connection

The surrounding land has been subtly sculpted to create gentle mounds and inviting outdoor spaces. New plantings—mature trees, shrubs, and groundcover—will gradually integrate the home into its natural setting.

A soft slope leads to the pool and outdoor lounge, ultimately connecting to a long boardwalk that stretches toward the river. At its end, a natural beach forms the perfect transition between architecture and landscape—a serene point where the home dissolves into the surrounding ecosystem.

All photographs are works of Olivier Blouin