Project Name: Sutton House

Location: Sutton, Quebec, Canada

Design Team: Pelletier De Fontenay

Project Area: 500 m²

Completion Year: 2024

Photography: James Brittain

Lead Architect: Yves de Fontenay

Design Team Members: Yves de Fontenay, Hubert Pelletier, Yann Gay-Crosier, Laurence Gaudette, Raphaëe Gendron, Mikaele Fol

Landscape Design: Friche Atelier

General Contractor: Menuiserie Simon Fortin

Feature：

Project - Nestled in Quebec's Eastern Townships, the Sutton House project by Pelletier de Fontenay showcases a masterful transformation of a 1908 stone residence, demonstrating how historic preservation can harmoniously merge with contemporary design. The architects have deftly navigated the challenge of reimagining a century-old structure while maintaining its original character, creating a cohesive dialogue between three distinct construction periods.

The renovation's most striking feature is its innovative approach to material continuity. Custom white cementitious coatings unify both the old and new facades, creating a chameleon-like exterior that dramatically shifts its presence with the seasons – appearing stark against summer greenery while almost dissolving into the winter landscape. This thoughtful material choice exemplifies the project's subtle yet transformative design philosophy.

The architects have expanded the ground floor through a series of sophisticated additions that respect the original building's commanding presence. Three distinct blocks, housing storage and a fireplace, frame strategic views of the surrounding landscape while supporting an expansive overhanging roof. This horizontal extension creates a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces through terraces, pathways, and gardens, without compromising the original pitched roofs' integrity.

The project stands out for its commitment to sustainable preservation, employing innovative materials like hemp insulation for its superior breathability and humidity control. The restoration process prioritized local materials and craftsmanship, incorporating unearthed fieldstones and locally-sourced limestone. The design also leverages passive climate control strategies, with the building's mass and orientation working in concert with natural ventilation patterns and solar gains to minimize energy consumption.

Through this thoughtful renovation, Pelletier de Fontenay has created a contemporary home that honors its historic foundations while establishing new relationships with its environment. The project serves as a compelling example of how architectural heritage can be preserved and enhanced through sensitive intervention and sustainable design practices.

Design Team - Montreal-based architectural practice Pelletier de Fontenay, established in 2010 by Hubert Pelletier and Yves de Fontenay, has emerged as a significant force in contemporary Canadian architecture. The firm's philosophy eschews predetermined stylistic approaches in favor of a process-driven methodology that responds uniquely to each project's specific conditions and context.

Led by founding partners Pelletier and de Fontenay, alongside partners Yann Gay-Crosier and Anik Mandalian, the studio has developed an impressive portfolio spanning public cultural institutions, residential projects, and urban planning initiatives. Their work has garnered notable recognition, including the prestigious Prix d'Excellence from the Ordre des Architectes du Québec for both the Montreal Botanical Garden Pavilion (2024) and the Montreal Insectarium (2023).

The practice's design approach navigates the delicate balance between architectural autonomy and contextual specificity, resulting in rigorous yet responsive solutions. Their commitment to typological exploration and historical reference, combined with site-specific innovation, has positioned them at the forefront of Canadian architectural discourse. This is evidenced by their diverse project portfolio, which encompasses museums, schools, cultural centers, and libraries, demonstrating their ability to address complex programmatic requirements while maintaining design excellence across varying scales and typologies.