At the end of a long, winding road in Potton, Bourgeois / Lechasseur architects completed a modern barnhouse set among second homes scattered through a mixed forest and overlooking Lake Memphremagog. The residence sits quietly on a plateau, framed by a wooded mound to the west and a steep slope falling away to the east.
From the very first meeting, the clients were clear about what drew them in. They were inspired by the region’s long farm buildings and the honest simplicity of barnhouse architecture. What they wanted was a warm second home with strong ties to nature, somewhere that felt relaxed, open, and connected to the landscape rather than imposed upon it.
The architectural language stays true to its inspiration. Dark wood siding and a metal roof recall traditional farm buildings, while refined detailing and pure lines give the house a contemporary edge.
The house is designed as two distinct volumes. The first is a multi-functional building that combines a guest loft, a garage, and an artist studio. This smaller structure sits slightly forward and establishes the first impression on arrival, with its gabled roof echoing the agricultural buildings that inspired the project. From here, a glass tunnel gently connects to the second volume, the main house. Filled with light, this transparent link creates a gradual transition between the two areas and reinforces the sense of moving through the landscape rather than between enclosed rooms.
While the house appears compact when seen from the road, its true length is revealed as you walk around it. This unfolding quality adds a quiet sense of drama, especially once you enter the main house. At its heart is a large open plan great room, designed as a bright, lake oriented gathering space. Lined with long walls of glass, the room opens itself to two contrasting views, forest on one side and lake on the other. Natural light pours in throughout the day, blurring the boundary between inside and out. The polished concrete floor extends seamlessly onto the patio, further enhancing this sense of openness.
Above, the gabled roof becomes a defining interior feature. A wood lined cathedral ceiling draws the eye upward and softens the scale of the space, adding warmth to the otherwise clean and restrained palette. In the living area, a carefully integrated collection of cabinets houses both the television and the fireplace, keeping the room uncluttered and focused on comfort rather than excess.
At the opposite end of the great room, the dining area and kitchen continue the home’s understated approach. Grey furnishings and a dark toned kitchen sit against the smooth concrete floors, creating a subtle contrast with the bright, light filled interior. The kitchen is designed to connect easily to a secondary service area, which in turn opens directly onto the covered patio. This layout reinforces the home’s role as a place for gathering, where indoor and outdoor living flow naturally together.
Upstairs, the atmosphere becomes even more pared back. A bedroom with minimal furniture is positioned to make the most of the surrounding views, with attention focused almost entirely on the trees and the water beyond. It is a calm, quiet space that reflects the clients’ desire for retreat without isolation.
By reworking familiar regional forms with care and restraint, Bourgeois / Lechasseur architects have created a second home designed for slowing down, gathering together, and taking in the forest and lake that surround it.
Photography by Adrien Williams
