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THE DESIGN CHASER

BROM by AtelierCarle Reframes Rural Architecture with Purpose and Permanence

7.14.2025

Set against the backdrop of Lac-Brome in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, BROM by AtelierCarle is a layered architectural response to questions of sustainability, cultural continuity, and place. Located on an estate that had been in the same family for nearly a century, the project moves beyond conventional preservation or aesthetic gestures. Instead, it engages in a deeper cultural reflection—one that considers the evolving rural landscape and what it means to contribute meaningfully to our shared built environment.


Led by AtelierCarle's founding architect Alain Carle and project manager Isaniel Lévesque, the project reflects a philosophical approach to architecture. Here, sustainability is not measured only in environmental terms, but also through the lens of memory, material permanence, and collective experience—grounding the new residence in both site and culture.


The original structure—a timber-framed residence from the early 20th century with rubble stone walls—had deteriorated beyond repair. While this necessitated a move away from the idea of total conservation, AtelierCarle chose not to erase its presence, but rather embed it into the new narrative. The masonry chimney and foundations were preserved, and as a result, entry to the new building involves passing through the remnants of the old one—a kind of architectural remembrance, a duty of memory—which defines the arrival at the property. The secondary buildings on the site have been preserved and incorporated into the overall landscape design. The property now consists of a series of three connected pavilions that draw on the rhythm of 19th-century rural structures, subtly referencing a form of territorial occupation that once defined the region.



This new configuration, which conceptually establishes a dialogue between the new and the disappeared, highlights the enduring nature of stone in contrast to the more ephemeral character of wooden frameworks in rural architecture—a fragile material history that is often overlooked in the construction process.



The siting of the home, influenced by the natural slope of the land, allowed for the creation of a basement level and full-height rooms below. The ground floor maintains a consistent relationship with the landscape, offering a seamless transition between indoors and out.



From the outset, the team approached the build as a cultural practice. Stone becomes the project’s throughline—grounding both the structure and its sensory experience. Two volumes housing the entrance halls are clad in stone, providing aesthetic and material continuity with the original structure. New retaining walls wrap around these core volumes, establishing the axes for the development of the three pavilions. The masonry continues inside, creating a natural progression into softer materials. Stone also functions as a thermal mass throughout the home, supported by a geothermal system.



The above-ground structure—a mix of metal frames, wood, and exposed beams made from reclaimed timber—is capped by soaring four-sloped cedar roofs, their steep angles referencing the surrounding monumental landscape of the Monteregian Hills. Rather than treating windows as decorative elements within a façade, AtelierCarle designed them to directly respond to the landscape, dissolving boundaries and drawing the outdoors into everyday experience.



Inside, the layout unfolds in a continuous sequence across the ground floor—a horizontal rhythm that echoes the surrounding lakeside landscape. Tall cathedral ceilings and generous volumes are punctuated by large doors crafted from reclaimed wood, offering moments of openness and intimacy. Overhead, reclaimed beams have been carefully adapted to meet the structural needs of the new build.



The interior materiality embraces simplicity, with an aesthetic that bridges old and new, past and present. A minimal palette of stone, timber, concrete, and low-emission finishes was chosen for both its durability and reduced environmental impact. These natural materials ground the spaces, reflecting the fragile yet enduring history of the site.

Just as the architectural approach blurs the boundaries between before and after, the interior atmosphere evokes a sense of suspended temporality—a feeling of permanence that unfolds from the inside out. The result is a home untethered to trends, anchored instead in place, memory, and material continuity.

Too often, projects of this kind are marked by overconsumption or the unnecessary dismantling of viable elements. Here, the design extends the lifecycle of what already exists—preserving what can be preserved, and reimagining what cannot.

Custom furniture by Élément bois adds a layer of timeless tactility, while lighting by Sistemalux and Lumenpulse defines each space with quiet precision.




Rooted in a deep sensitivity to time, place, and material, BROM creates an architectural language that feels both grounded and open—one that acknowledges the past while responding to the needs of contemporary rural life. Rather than imposing itself on the landscape, it becomes part of it, contributing meaningfully to the evolving story of rural life and the shared traditions that shape it.


Credits

Architecture & Interior Design: AtelierCarle
Landscape Architect: Oscar Hacche
Photography: Alex Lesage

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Nordiska Kök Reimagines the Heart of a Parisian Home with Understated Elegance

6.12.2025

Set within a Belle Époque home in Le Vésinet, just outside Paris, this bespoke kitchen by Nordiska Kök is part of a thoughtful extension and renovation led by Wukang Architectes in collaboration with interior designer Sara Mengesha, of Meio Interiors. Designed to feel like a natural continuation of the home’s neoclassical architecture, the kitchen brings together Nordic restraint and Parisian elegance through warm oak cabinetry, soft curved forms, and a serene, light-filled palette.





Built in 1870, the neoclassical residence is rich with historic detail—decorative cornices, parquet floors, and grand French doors that flood the home with light. When Sara and her family moved in, the kitchen sat within a newer extension—clean-lined but out of step with the original house. “The old kitchen felt disconnected—more like an add-on than a continuation,” she explains. The vision was to create something that felt more integrated, both in materiality and mood.



Crafted in Nordiska Kök’s workshop just outside Gothenburg, Sweden, the new kitchen offers a tailored solution—one that honours the home’s architectural language while introducing a gentle contemporary rhythm. Shaker cabinetry in warm dark oak brings a grounding richness, while soft arches—inspired by the home’s original fireplace—introduce a graceful, sculptural quality to the space.





Light hues and natural materials define the palette, allowing the kitchen to feel calm and cohesive within the wider home. Curved open shelving, marble worktops, and Corston knobs in a warm, brushed finish give the design both presence and polish. Despite its pared-back look, the kitchen is full of thoughtful details—from the beautifully concealed tea and coffee station tucked behind pocket doors, to the island bench that invites friends and family to gather.





As with all Nordiska Kök kitchens, form and function go hand in hand. The layout flows effortlessly from one zone to the next, creating a sense of rhythm and ease that suits the open-plan design. Framed by tall French windows that overlook the garden, the space is bathed in natural light, enhancing the warmth of the oak cabinetry and drawing out the subtle texture of the Dover White Namibia marble.



Credits

Kitchen: Nordiska Kök
Interior design: Meio Interiors
Architecture: Wukang Architectes
Photography: Andrea Papini

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Montpellier House: Light, Texture and a Sense of Belonging

6.04.2025

Nestled at the foot of Mount Saint-Bruno in Montérégie, on Montreal’s South Shore, the Montpellier residence quietly immerses itself in its rich, forested surroundings. Conceived as a space for refuge and contemplation, the home appears to slip into the landscape, its profile gently leaning into the slope of the mountain behind it. Surrounded by a dense canopy, the house becomes part of the natural environment rather than an imposition on it.


A collaboration between Montreal-based design studio Vives St-Laurent and ATA Architecture, the project spans three levels, including a partially buried garden level that subtly follows the land’s natural contours. This sensitive approach sets it apart from the more traditional 1960s homes in the area, allowing the residence to feel integrated and unobtrusive. Working within a pre-defined volumetric structure—shaped through early conversations between the clients and architects—the design team focused their efforts on establishing fluid circulation, generous openings, and an abundance of natural light throughout the interior.



At the heart of the plan lies an interior courtyard, while a fully glazed rear façade opens onto the surrounding forest. From the entrance, a linear vestibule leads to a slightly sunken living room, carved directly into the slab. Here, a fireplace anchors the space beneath a double-height ceiling, where a long vertical curtain further accentuates the room’s dramatic scale.

To the left are more private areas: a boudoir, office, workout room, and access to the basement. To the right, the living spaces: kitchen, dining room, and stairs leading upstairs. Intuitively arranged, the spaces provide a sense of openness, supporting the home’s calm and natural rhythm.




The material palette is subtle and nuanced, reflecting the occupants’ lifestyle—elegant, refined, and warm. In the vestibule, ceramic flooring in varied slate-inspired tones is laid in an opus incertum pattern. The architectural language, sober and geometric, is softened by subtle interventions—grounded lines on the fireplace mantle, and curves integrated into the furniture and walls.



The living room is defined by a linear volume clad in terracotta ceramic sourced from California, which highlights the fireplace—a favourite element of the client. Overhead, a Tekio pendant light made from washi paper casts a soft glow throughout the double-height space.

Natural white oak and dark-stained oak are used throughout, creating a rich but cohesive contrast. The dark wood dining room table is in dialogue with the lighter oak floor, while recurring curves tie the space into the broader design language.



The kitchen strikes a balance between sculptural presence and functional design. A central volume houses a hidden pantry and integrated bench, marking a natural transition to the dining space. The island, made from veined natural stone, becomes a dramatic focal point anchoring the room. Sliding doors conceal appliances and a coffee station, preserving the purity of the overall form. Large glass doors open onto a covered terrace, extending the kitchen outdoors and reinforcing the home’s relationship to its surroundings.




Throughout, vertical elements contribute to a serene atmosphere. White oak is used on floor-to-ceiling shelving in the boudoir and tall storage units, reinforcing a sense of height and calm continuity. Materials were selected not only for their visual harmony, but also to support a grounded, tactile experience.

The upper level is reached via a simple double-flight staircase, leading to the bedrooms and bathrooms. The spacious, secluded master suite includes two distinct walk-in closets and a bathroom that is both elegant and practical—designed to elevate the everyday.




The Montpellier residence is the result of a thoughtful and collaborative process between client, architect, and designer. Rooted deeply in its site and surroundings, the project is a quiet study in restraint and refinement—contemporary architecture shaped by nature, attuned to the rhythm of light, texture, and lived experience.

Credits

Photography: Alex Lesage

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