The Timeless Art of Seduction

Pandora

It is a sweet seduction which becomes obsession when it is at its best. Everything is in the gaze and the desire. The very idea of creating an intimate setting is instinctively soothing. It almost seems contradictory to the notion of what is trending now with ready made designer interiors in a bag, but one thing for sure is that when comes the time to take that leap of faith and start rearranging our dwelling’s interiors, we want to repel the ordinary. We seek individuality almost as bravely as to expose ourselves to the judgement of others without wanting to admit it. Let's face it, a lot of personal identity is defined by the interiors we live in everyday. The art of cocooning relegates preconceived designs to the people who are stuck in their mental comfort zones or the unimaginative to make place for unpredictable eclecticism. Add green eco consciousness and it is not surprising to hear a collective sigh.  One can almost hear the small voice coming from that consumer wilderness crying out: what now?

 We are a society of consumers surrounded by objects. We want something that adds value by its acquisition. A whole class of seasoned consumers flog through flea markets, thrift shops, auctions and internet sales such as Kijiji, Craig's List, Etsy, EBay and even Facebook. Then there is the green army, these environmentalists who seek recovered or abandoned treasures that are not yet rendered in the antique shops for fine collectors or Eco centres. It is the art of intercepting that rare find until others realize its fair value.

Expect the unexpected

From the sacred to the profane

The profane blend with the sacred seduction of the found object has become our hobby. Our motivation is simple. To enhance the modern clean lines of our house, we chose to add unexpected architectural elements and decorative accessories for texture and whimsy. One of our inspirations is to have old interior doors. It is a beautiful dialogue between eras and it is green. Giving a second life to an object that does not come packaged by a foreign manufacturer is a rewarding adventure. One could actually say it is a form of voyeurism. The coveted object comes wrapped in a unique story that tells its provenance. Taking the time to find these artifacts, we discover the lives that were entwined with these objects as well as imagine all the stories that go with the associated era. This perspective adds to the richness of our finds and is limited only by nostalgic imagination beyond research. Dressers, mirrors, doors and even windows have their own entity because there is a story attached to each object. They say if walls could talk, yet it is it these everyday objects that speak volumes as they share a profound testimony to the lives that once manipulated them. I sensed this when I was picking out doors and found one where a teenager had put stickers behind her bedroom door telling her story. I warn you, this is addictive.

ARTÉ

In our quest to find an architectural or decorative artifact, my husband and I started to covet what others had surrendered to municipal Eco centres, or entire warehouses filled with ancient treasures from the demolition of old convents or monasteries. In order to succeed in sourcing out these finds, we became weekend warriors with purchasing and logistic strategies. GPS and coffee in hand early on weekends, we were looking for specific items we had identified on our lists. The learning curve was steep. Don’t kid yourself. It is both cerebral and physical. Then, there's the attitude. Everything has a value related to its functionality and its era hence the famous catchall label of vintage. How many times did we chat with a seller who used this epithet liberally? Caveat emptor! When it comes to vintage, one speaks of an era and the original object. For the neo-retro, it is imitation designed to evoke the era. Vintage has its nostalgic value added to the desire to buy quality at a low cost. I don’t personally go for kitsch, but common sense along with the desire to be green gives me the eclecticism I strive for without being locked in by preconceived designer or architectural settings. If it’s eclectic you are looking for, have we got the place for you.

Saint Basil

It’s not every day that you are greeted by a bonifide saint, but at ARTE, Saint Basil waits for you at the entrance as though giving you his blessings. While looking for architectural elements, we found ARTE, the Artisan du Renouveau et de la Transformation Écologique, a warehouse store in the heart of Griffintown, a historic suburb along the Lachine Canal, in Montréal. While browsing their website, we discovered a wealth of objets trouvés from kitsch to antiques. Going to ARTE is like opening Pandora's Box with all its enchantment. Then, it is the warm hospitality of Jean-Marc Moreau, ARTE’s manager who literally gives you free range to explore the mazes of the Murray Street warehouse. Indeed, all the strategies that we had made to locate specific objects vanished quickly. Pierre and I were walking in silence akin to the tangible emotional experience one has when entering a cathedral or a temple. It's mind-blowing. Then suddenly, we are convened by a voice coming from somewhere in the labyrinth. Stéphane Tremblay

Stéphane Tremblay

is the genius behind ARTE. He is the founder and the one who was able to enhance recovery of items what would have ended up in the municipal landfill. What is more remarkable is that ARTE is sustainable. Not only has it created jobs, but it enhances the creative approach to recovery. ARTE is recognized by designers, interior design magazines, television and theatre directors, and film sets scouting for rare objects that are for rent. For ordinary mortals, it is Pandora's Box.  If you have the eye, and you have done your research, you uncover artwork, artifacts and furniture, even tools coveted by experienced collectors.  Then comes the art of negotiating. Practice makes perfect.

Jean-Marc Moreau

We went three times at ARTE and every time, Stéphane and Jean-Marc greeted us with the same brio. If you are uncertain about an acquisition, Stéphane is a born designer who offers suggestions to inspire. What would be the ultimate criterion to consecrate ARTE with Stéphane and Jean-Marc as a must for your interiors? It is when one spends a good portion of the day scouting around the huge warehouse until night time sets in and having to rent a truck to haul your treasures home. The bonus is the new friendship with two unique individuals for their involvement in the community and the ecofriendly sustainable approach they generate.

Leaving with our booty

Usually, when we drive back home from Montréal on our way back to Gatineau, I find highway 417 long and boring as I keep glancing at the Navcom screen in the car to see how many kilometers are left before we get home, but this evening was different. As I was following my spouse who was driving the rental truck with our booty, I sang with the radio all along watching the stars piercing the dark skies overlooking the never ending rural landscape. It is amazing how sometimes life gives us a glimpse of how even the smallest of things can become rich with meaning. Basically, it is to go green and by giving a second life to an object that has a story to tell. What is even more fascinating is the emotional appeal of buying something from the past. The story continues to be told following the path given by our daily lives. When you think of it, design is not the image of the object but how it works. If this object is useful still after all the lives that were once connected to it, then this only adds to its value. Well done is better than well said. Sometimes a little seduction takes you by surprise and brings the right amount of inspiration  making dreams a reality with roots from the past. I guess it not only makes sense, it makes the ordinary almost timeless. 

The Inherent Beauty of the Architecture of Immigrants

Griffintown circa 1896

I am a subversive wanderer. While I walk in Griffintown, one of the oldest communities in Montréal, I seek the continuation of a past consciousness that still haunts this old neighborhood. This consciousness, I see it in the secret language of architecture. I listen to it freely for it speaks to me. I ponder why a neighborhood, which has its roots buried in Irish misery, leads us to believe that there is an inherent beauty in architecture that has witnessed all this destitution. The stoic buildings are far from being oppressive despite their authoritarian character reminding us of the economic times that erected them. I think of my mother when we use to walk in Ottawa's Lowertown as she would cast a tender glance at the older homes that had once echoed with the accent of Franco-Ontarians and Jewish families in early last century. She always whispered : if those walls could only talk. I do not remember if I could detect a sense of regret or resignation in her voice, but are they are not two elements that make up nostalgia?

Irish Immigrant's House circa 1896

Ambling down the narrow sidewalks in Griffintown, I breathe in a sense of nostalgia that is not mine. This culture and this time have nothing to do with me. Yet I attach myself freely to this immigrant song. Its eloquence comes from the silent language of iconic architecture. Montréal has sometimes been criticized for its architecture as if it wanted to remain modest after Expo 67 and the Olympic Games of 76. The new Champlain Bridge woke some citizens from their torpor to debate between pragmatism versus iconic signature. How far can carte blanche be given depends on our tolerance of generic architecture. Basically, shouldn't bold architecture represent our cultural identity?

After much thought, and a little bemused by my rêverie, I concluded that heritage is premium and this is why Griffintown is so important. Its brick buildings and large windows, where people once worked hard for their daily bread, are now ultra chic boho lofts. Minimalistic condos dot the streets of Griffintown, but it is the grand dames in

Boho Chic Bistros of Griffintown

Revitalization of the urban landscape

red brick that have the last word. I think if the inherent heritage of architecture is to be preserved, the transformation is worth that leap of faith. Keeping the shell of a building to transform the interior as per new building codes and environmental considerations is a realistic approach. However, should we allow the same heritage value for all cultures that make up our society? Is there is a larger ethnic rhetoric that wants to keep so-called ancestral architecture iconic? It's while looking at the real estate ads that one questions the very ancestral designation of a property and how it is determined. Does the heritage designation of architecture have more importance because it was built by the founding families? Is immigrant architecture less iconic and less valuable? Griffintown is the living proof regarding this dichotomy and I can live with that answer because its roots are deeper than we think.

 

The history of Griffintown goes back into time in its purest sense. In 1654, the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph received this stronghold which they transfered in 1792 to Thomas McCord who sold it to Robert and Mary Griffin. The Lachine Canal was created in 1825 and the population began to build in the area. These were the landed Irish immigrants from Grosse Île who in 1847 erected the Victoria Bridge and the Lachine Canal.

House where murder occurred

I imagine during that era, that Griffintown resembled the infamous Whitechapel district of London during that time when Jack the Ripper haunted dark alleys in search of new prey. The legend of Griffintown resonates the same terror. Mary Gallagher, a local prostitute was brutally murdered by another woman. It is said that Mary comes to haunt William Street. In a jealous rage, Susan Kennedy would have beheaded the poor woman with an axe and dropped her head in a basket because she shared the same customer and the latter seemed to prefer Mary. Urban legend requires us to believe that every seven years, Mary roams William Street in search of her head. For my part, my visit to Griffintown is not to bump into headless Mary, but to unearth some antiques or objets trouvés.

The old brick walls on William Street

So here we are on William Street in search of ARTÉ, L'Artisan du Renouveau et de la Transformation Écologique, a re-use center for eco-centers of the city of Montréal. One of our goals for building our residence is to be green and this involves repurposing and recycling instead of buying everything new. I love to contrast shapes and textures from older eras with the clean lines of our house plans. It's a beautiful dialogue between eras demonstrating a unique synergy not only symbolically but to also convey an important message: that the reuse of materials from the past or discarded on the curbside, is as noble as the use of stone and wood as raw material. The value of these ancient architectural pieces has a particular resonance because we give it a second life. The visit to ARTÉ is the subject of my next post, because what we found deserves its own story.

For what is Griffintown, I will come back often, not to see the new condos, but to walk along the large red brick walls to hear them whisper their immigrant song. This is a past that is part of our heritage because there was more than one people living the same life struggle. The proof: we are all still here.

Saint-Irénée: Where Seduction Defies the Imagination

Saint-Irénée, Charlevoix Québec. Three years ago, I did not even know it existed and now this beautiful village is an intimate part of my life. It was seduction in its purest form where nature and a sense of well being are bound into a timeless complicity. Situated on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River about an hour east of Québec City, along Route 362, this hidden gem is nestled between the towns of Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie. I knew Charlevoix, or at least I thought I did. I had gone several times with my family at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, taking Route 138. To say that the panoramic scenery unfolding along this coastline is breathtaking seems like a trite cliché. There really is no right word to describe the Charlevoix coastline and the emotions it conjures. Not from a mere mortal's point of view anyway. All I can say is that there is a special and unique character to this region that enthralls you into believing that there is definitely a little piece of heaven on earth. It is for these reasons that each year, like migratory birds and marine wildlife, vacationers return to relive the experience that is Charlevoix. Life is good here.

Domaine Forget Gate House

I had never taken the scenic river route until the day we were looking for land to build our ecohouse. We found our dream lot in Les Domaines du Ruisseau-Jureux in Saint-Irénée, on the banks of the river itself where we are now planning our active retirement. This is where we will welcome our children, grandchildren, relatives and friends around a rustic table with good wine and hearty meals from the terroir. As a writer, blogger, painter, musician and a green thumb, I had a long list of precise criteria for my new place of residence. It was the same for my husband whose list was more ambitious than mine. When you live in an area where there is an internationally reknown music and dance centre, a natural heritage site recognized by UNESCO, more art galleries than banks, where one resident in six is a member of the horticulture club, and painters, writers and poets come to dip their brush or their quill in all this inspiration, there is no mistake. This is total nirvana. It would be difficult to find something that surpasses all these attractions, but there is an even more valuable asset: they are the inhabitants themselves. These are a genuine and warm people who are proud of their natural and cultural heritage. The welcome they gave us was heartwarming. They are the best ambassadors of the region for their friendliness, the desire to serve coupled with a disarming sincerity.

Le jardin français

People who live here have a rare opportunity. The St. Lawrence River dominates with its polymorphic blues that fade into the sky and on the other side, the mountains with the same blue infinity seem to unfold into the green valleys covered with wild flowers.  Every season, tourists line up to live a unique experience where time seems to stop. Living in a resort area has its benefits. What people are looking for, we live it here and we are protecting it dearly. From the first glympse of dawn until the last lights dot the coastline, Saint-Irénée opens its arms wide open in its tourist houses, restaurants and the beach. At night, the most beautiful music in the world drifts from Le Domaine Forget, where the maestro's baton weaves its musical magic whether classical or contemporary. Blessed are those who like the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, amble in solitude in the French garden where sculptures arise from large beds to remind us that the surreal is not so far from reality itself. That art here in this small village is life-size because living in Saint-Irénée, is like living in a painting.

Ginette Snack Bar

Saint-Irénée is the ideal destination for romantic getaways and family holidays. The young and old are lined up at Ginette's snack bar par excellence to satisfy their sweet tooth. Tourists mingle as they wait for their orders. Everything smells good here. Visitors flock to the beach to go horseback riding, watch beluga whales or stare in amazement at the freighters plying silently before them on the silent blue waters. Provisions and sweet treats are available

Père d'Antoine Grocery Store

at le Père d'Antoine convenience store with its miniature ships handcrafted by a pasionate mariner. For a beer from local microbreweries, the Flacatoune offers a varied surf and turf grille. The Bistro Saint-Laurent is one of the most intimate restaurants where the chef comes to greet you at your table and recites the menu of the day.


Le Rustique Guest Hotel

Tourist houses, bed and breakfasts and motels offer affordable and comfortable accommodation.We had the pleasure of staying at the Le Rustique a few times where Diane welcomed us like we were family. The rooms are beautiful, the menu surprisingly world class, but it is the genuine complicity of the guests that adds to the charm of this place. In the morning you hear the blacksmith next door, in his boutique workshop. The quaint white church overlooking the point on the main, used to appear in a famous Québec téléséries Le temps d'une paix. It stands modestly over Saint-Irénée like a lighthouse gently guiding you home. It feels good here. Even daylight seems different which explains the brilliant colours used by artists bringing to life a formidable landscape. 

Saint-Irénée's church

I have visited faraway countries where I marveled to see people stop everything in their daily routine to watch a sunset disappear into the waves of a turquoise ocean or an exotic mountain scape. As you experience this moment, you realize that this community understands the depth of its meaning. It is a state of grace and this is very rare. I envied them and thought that it was unique to their exotic locale. I was mistaken. At Saint-Irénée, it is a phenomenon that is repeated daily. It is not surprising to see hundreds of cars parked on the side of the road along the village. Occupants leave their cars in droves to walk on the beach at low tide. It is a well-established ritual. They stroll towards the blue infinity, where sea and sky merge. Not far, riders down the beach ride their horses with a delectable nonchalance. Children play, molding their imaginary worlds in the soft sand. Others spot beluga whales, hunt for sea glass and fish off the pier for smelt. Older couples sink into beach chairs in sweet idleness, both feet cradled in the sand, breathing deeply the sea air. This is Saint-Irénée and there is nothing like it.

So the next time you make the trip between the Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, take the 362 and discover a place that not only will pull at your heartstrings, but will seduce your imagination. Saint-Irénée, the most beautiful village in Québec and part of our heritage. Come and experience it yourself. 

The Charlevoix coast line as seen from our place.

Sustainable Beauty : Edelweiss House by Ecohome

The house is visually stunning. As you go down the tree canopied drive, the pure simple lines of Edelweiss House feel like it was always meant to be there. Nestled in a pristine woodland lot in Wakefield Québec, about half an hour from Ottawa, this home represents the cumulative research and building efforts of Emmanuel Cosgrove, Mike Reynolds and Yanni Milon as well as the expertise of Denis Boyer in the energy efficiency field. This passionate team set out to build the first LEED V4 house in Canada and to join the elusive Platinum Club Certification. Not only did they succeed in obtaining this prestigious award, but they are also on the books for being the second LEED v4 Platinum certified home in the world. The Canada Green Building Council lauds Edelweiss House as a phenomenal achievement. This comes to no surprise since Ecohome sets the benchmark for sustainable building practices while reducing the environmental impact which, in itself is no small feat. Not only has Ecohome proven its leadership in this area, it fervently backs up what it says by building the demo house giving a hands on experience for neophytes to professionals interested in building green.

Car charging station

We attended a one day workshop and tour at Edelweiss House given by Emmanuel Cosgrove who covered design and concept as well as construction. The concept is innovative itself. Edelweiss House is a demo house giving you a firsthand look at the ins and outs of building a hyper-performing house that won’t break your budget. Furthermore, when you start to crunch the numbers, you realize that this spacious open concept house will run on the cost of your morning coffee at Timmies. You can’t beat that. And if you drive an electric car to commute to Ottawa and back, it will cost you less than that morning coffee and bagel. So if you are worried about the initial cost of green building, the outcome is that it will pay for itself once you put the key into the door.


Hands on models and examplars

Ecohome is like a test drive. You can touch, see, experiment, ask questions and share concerns with the other participants. Edelweiss House not only looks great but I imagine it feels good to live there. An ecohome is not a force fit. One tipoff is the landscaping. If it is minimalistic and most of the building site has not disturbed the natural landscape, then that indicates that some consideration has been taken into account about minimizing the house’s footprint. That house becomes part of nature and not vice versa. Edelweiss House sits well in the densely treed lot with wild flowers and minimal landscaping to accommodate outdoor living.



Break time in the great room

Another tipoff is the new house smell. Edelweiss House is brand new and does not have a new house smell. It wouldn’t be green if it did. If your new home has a new house smell, that means that chemical particles are being released into the air you breathe such as COVs. This toxic smell comes from building material and could linger in your house for the next several years.   

When you walk into Edelweiss House and enter the great room, the extensive use of windows literally let the outdoors in. Ample natural light filters in through the canopied trees that are so close; you feel you could actually touch them. This has a soothing effect adding to the house’s serene aura. We could easily see ourselves living there. We are Baby Boomers and sometimes these abodes are not senior friendly especially for access if you wish to live as autonomously as possible. It is also a great dwelling for couples or families as a permanent residence or vacation home.

 In all, this 1,386 square foot house was built with an accessible budget for the average home buyer. It is by far a good investment in all respects and easy to maintain. Sometimes having a green home is a long term commitment. This house started performing from day one and it will keep on paying for itself for years to come.



Antique accents add charm

Then there is the Cosgrove Effect. Emmanuel likes to incorporate architectural salvage and reclaimed materials in his sustainable designs such as antique doors that complement the sleek design of this house. The contrast between the roughhewn doors and the minimalistic lines of the house interiors incorporate a beautiful message about keeping elements from the past towards future builds. The quartz kitchen counter is made of recycled glass and mirrors. Participants that day were impressed by its feel and the look of the counter’s finish. Of special interest also was the reclaimed lumber from the bottom of the Ottawa River used to make the vaulted ceiling from Logs End. The wood has been preserved under water for decades and is part of the area’s cultural heritage since it was felled generations ago. The grain work in this wood is unparalleled.  The great room ceiling and some millwork were custom made with the reclaimed lumber. There is also extensive use of slate in the bathrooms giving a rich dark texture to the walls and floors.  

Emmanuel Cosgrove leading the tour

The outdoor design is sleek with its horizontal lines. The charcoal gray Riopel siding accentuated with black trim and the burgundy door give the house a rich look.  But what will surely get your attention is the green roof which is not only energy saving and improves air quality and biodiversity, but also retains storm water and acts as acoustic insulation. Green roofs are not new. They have been doing it for over seven hundred years in Europe and we are in awe when we see one in our own neighbourhood. When you think of it, it only makes sense to start greening our roofs. Environment Canada states that if there were more green roofs, for example in Toronto that the temperature in the summer would come down by 2 degrees because of the cooling effect of green roofs.

Prep work for the green roof

Overall, our day at Edelweiss House was thought provoking. We went back home and poured over our own house plans to rethink some of the major components before having them run through energy modelling simulations. Edelweiss House gives you the best of both worlds: hands on knowledge and expert advice backed up with real experience. This is not theory, it’s hard work that has paid off. Ecohome is not only leadership through reliable demonstration, it is also trend setting that can be measured, assessed and evaluated because it is there with all the data to back it up. You can’t ask for anything better. The only question remains is, where will Ecohome take us next?

All this to say, that genuine sustainable ecobuilding is a conscious approach to energy and ecological conservation and if it is beautifully designed, then it looks like Edelweiss House. To find out more about Edelweiss House and Ecohome, a visit to their website is well worth the effort at www.ecohome.net. 

ANNABEL'S SMILE

Pierre working on our plans

Pierre is an expert at working with details. Nothing escapes him. As for me, it’s the big picture. Details are not my forte since I have always analyzed systems pertaining to an institution’s vision and mandate. Someone else had to look after the details that made the whole. Furthermore, I have always avoided Cartesian linearity. I prefer to make quantum leaps in order to analyze complex systems without making them complicated. My analytical mind is my favorite tool. Why go from A to B in a straight line when you can explore and go elsewhere? I am convinced that there is always more than one solution and that the correct answer is the one that works. This is my modus operandi. Pierre and I have a different focus and it is a beautiful partnership. Apparently, my husband thinks I drive my Subaru the same way that I ponder and that rarely in a straight line. In my defense: I learned to drive in the countryside and the rural landscape turns me on more than the white line on an endless tarmac.

Back on topic. When Pierre and I talk about building plans, we are essentially saying the same thing, because we share the same vision; however, our language is different. For example, we love technology, but we see it differently. Pierre is how-to. Not me. I want to see what other applications can be done for the same widget. So when we discuss construction plans, our interlocutor has to act as a filter and work intuitively with our subconscious. Then the said interlocutor reflects the fabric of our thought in a vernacular language. Are you following me? This is not an easy task. So, what to do with the silent language of architecture? It takes Annabel’s smile.





Bruno Verge leading the discussion the design of our house

We met Annabel Arsenault, architect, during our second meeting with Bruno Verge at Tergos. The first thing one notices about Annabel is her serenity. Her frank look is authentic and her smile is framed by two generous dimples. She is very patient and her ability to listen is impressive. Our second meeting with the architects was the signing of the contract and our first site visit to Saint-Irénée where the land surveyor, Dave Tremblay, was waiting with his team. On the way to Charlevoix, I briefly outlined our ideas for the house plans while noticing that Annabel and Bruno were taking notes. They did not waste their time or ours. I was impressed.

Arriving at our estate lot, Pierre gathered the whole team for the preliminary meeting to exchange information and strategize. With data from the land surveyor, one could better visualize the location of the house, the flow of surface water, the location of the artesian well and septic tank. The vision of the house was becoming more concrete as we walked the land. Dave Tremblay’s team would provide us with 3D topography to make it easier for the architects to anchor the house as though it had always belonged there while protecting its environment.

Annabel Arseneault and Bruno Verge, Architects

When Bruno spoke, he expounded on volume and the quality of the materials. He explained how the large windows of the house would sculpt the light over the seasons. I could see the house rise before me with a clean modern farmhouse revival style, fused to the environment and challenging our senses. It was a far cry from the magazine look and the big house syndrome overloaded with vinyl gables and faux stone siding. The vision he described was timeless and had a clarity ensuring an efficient sustainable green residence and respectful of our well-being. While Bruno shared his vision, Annabel took pictures and noted. Her silence was eloquent. She already envisioned our daily lives and the potential for this construction. Then we went down the beach on the St-Lawrence River, just at the bottom of our property. This wide blue expanse continues to impress people who come to visit us. It's almost an obligatory truce to go to the waterfront and look towards this infinite beauty. People are mesmerized. We are just amazed that we will live there soon.

Finally, driving back to Québec, I had the chance to quickly point out the home of my ancestors in Château-Richer. Located on the Route Royale, we see the back of the house while driving on Route 138. Built between the years 1790 and 1818 by François Rhéaume, it was erected on land granted in 1650. It is while doing my genealogy that I found it. I explained to Annabel and Bruno the strong emotions that I felt when I saw it for the first time. After taking photos of my ancestors’ house, I had put my hand on one of its walls and I whispered that after all those centuries, our family is still here.

Maison Rhéaume, Château-Richer, near Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Architecture, beyond all the canons of beauty, takes its importance because it is the staging of everyday life and our culture. As the humble abode of my ancestors, my greatest desire is that our home in Saint-Irénée tells our little piece of history. Having said this, I saw Annabel smile and I knew she had understood everything.

A BEAUTIFUL EQUATION

 

A Benedictine monk doing a math problem.

Have you ever worked with the painstaking patience of a Benedictine monk to solve a math problem to the point you actually became nauseated? At the precise moment when you thought your brain was not getting enough oxygen, you hear the teacher approach your desk and from the top of your peripheral vision, a huge index finger slowly descends to land on the page before you. The whole universe is frozen in time. Holding your breath, you expect the Big Bang is about to rearrange the cosmos. Because the teacher is a professional with all titles and nobility, he explains how to find the answer without giving it. Finally, after an epiphany and some illuminations you find the solution which you transcribe with great relief on the awaiting page. As you lean back in your seat, the solution reveals its elegance and you realize that it is the most beautiful equation you have ever solved.

I often had this nightmare when I felt helpless in a situation my subconscious was trying to elucidate. It was déjà vu when it came time to find an architect to build our ecohome. If you have never worked with an architect to design your house, I offer the following visualization. You sit in front of a huge white page filled with symbols. Sweat beading your brow, you breathe shallowly not to betray your anxiety. On the great expanse of white paper, this is not the house of your dreams. These are the ideas of the architect and what he or she could do with your money. Financially, you are maxed out because the price per square foot has doubled, plus tax. Suddenly, the almighty architect index descends on the page to guide you through the dream home that you can barely recognize. My preconceived perception was that working with these prima donnas was a real torment. In addition, they all look and dress like Andy Warhol. You could buy plans from a catalog or even a prefabricated house, but no, you wanted a house that looked like you and told your story. The architect obviously has guessed all of this and  besides, you submitted your own sketches. You feel numb, almost non-existent. You have a sour taste in your mouth because of the nervous reflux. You would have preferred going to the dentist. It's too late. You sheepishly leave the architect’s office with the plans under your left arm because you left your right arm on the table with your check. Then you fade into non-existence. End of visualization.

This is what I had visualized in a flash when my husband told me one evening, after drawing the umpteenth version of our home, that we needed an architect. I refused to believe that we had to add this expense to our construction budget even less, lose the equivalent of a bedroom for us to pay for his services. I did not capitulate. I was adamant, but wanting my house, I went looking for an architect. During the interviewing process, I was so suspicious; I was looking for clues to see if they were actually listening to us. Before our meetings, Pierre would email the plans he had worked on for months as well as a comprehensive document with all relevant information for the meeting. In one instance in particular, the architect we interviewed completely ignored everything we had prepared and showed us already made plans for houses built for another project. It was the ready-to-wear syndrome, exactly what we did not want. If it was not the lack of knowledge in green building from the architect’s part, it was the glaring lack of participatory listening. We were talking in a vacuum. Disappointed, we left the architect's office even more confused. It was at that moment that one could feel the emotional significance of creating a synergy in order to get anywhere. We had to find an architect that we could trust with our last residence, the one where we would live our old age peacefully and in full autonomy. That's why we decided to start all over again by communicating with another architectural technologist. The latter listened to our story and politely refused our proposal. However, he knew of a highly recommended architectural firm in Québec City which had garnered every honor in the field of ecological housing and construction. That said, we checked their website and made an appointment. In two weeks we would meet Bruno Verge, senior architect at Tergos.

By consulting their internet site, we were intrigued by Tergos’s philosophical approach. Their’s is more than a mission and vision statement. It is a commitment that goes beyond the typical branding used in the marketing business. Tergos focuses on quality of life and a greener world by stating that it all begins at home. They even say that to change the world, we must first transform ourselves. Finally, this vision is connected to green sustainable architecture. I confess, reading their assertions, was like looking in a mirror. It was reassuring.

Historical Saint-Roch in Québec CIty

The morning of our meeting, we headed to their office located in the old Wilfrid J. Lachance fur warehouse in the Boho chic district of Saint-Roch in Québec City. First clue that karma was positive: everyone was smiling in that office. Second clue that the planets were aligned in our favor: our first impression of Bruno Verge.

Sitting in a cozy conference room bathed in natural daylight, I felt relaxed. Pierre began his usual presentation and I watched Bruno Verge. Despite a well-rehearsed speech, we expressed our desires and needs, sometimes wandering all over the map. With great tact, Bruno Verge kept bringing us back on track which indicated to us that he really listening. What was the tipping point for us is when Pierre mentioned that he was concerned about the lighting without specifying why. Bruno brought the discussion back to that point to inquire about his concerns. It was at that moment that I changed my attitude. Working with an architect is not an excessive expense. This is a solid investment that ensures that we will reach our target. We had found the hidden gem. Moreover, Bruno would come to see our estate lot in Saint-Irénée to see how the land would influence the design of our residence. Sharing the same concerned with green architecture, we spoke the same language and did not have to defend our point of view. Looking at the shelf in their conference room, we could see all the awards in sustainable architecture and green building certifying the highest distinction in these fields. Karma had smiled upon us. We were in the right place with the right person.

Tergos Offices

After searching for months for a professional who would take the time to listen and study the plans that Pierre had painstakingly drawn, we had finally found our architect. When we left the Tergos offices, Pierre had a peaceful smile and I was relieved. We had found our beautiful equation.