yh2's Counter-Slope House embeds a lakeside retreat into Quebec's forested hillside

The Counter-Slope House, designed by yh2 architecture's Marie-Claude Hamelin and Loukas Yiacouvakis, has been completed on Lake Memphremagog in Potton, Quebec. Established in 1994, the award-winning firm emphasizes a workshop-led methodology, concentrating on holistic design. The residence is situated on a sloped terrain, featuring a windowless basement that includes a gym, cinema, and storage areas. Above, the expansive ground floor boasts an open-plan living space with floor-to-ceiling windows, polished stone flooring, and exposed timber beams. The main suite is located on the opposite side, divided by a staircase. A terrace with a spa and dining area faces the lake, while the cantilevered upper level forms a sheltered courtyard. Accessed by a bridge, the entrance level features a glazed hall and a butterfly-roofed section with three bedrooms, two of which serve as offices. The upper deck provides stunning lake views, with the exterior clad in natural cedar and the interior crafted from white oak. The architects view the project as a harmonious response to the dramatic landscape, with the roof of the main volume acting as a 'belvedere' that invites contemplation and fosters a connection to the environment, embodying 'an architecture of subtraction.'