Back in Volume 58 of enki, we explored Maison Melba by architecture practice Atelier L’Abri, a renovation of an old barn-like dwelling from the 70s. A house that unravels around the skeleton of its original timber frame. And now, Melba Pavillion, nestled among the meadows surrounding the site, is the final, and vital, architectural addition to this unique transformation story that began in 2020.
As the owners left the concrete bounds of the city for the leafier plains of Québec, the original brief for Maison Melba included a base in which they could enjoy a slower pace of life. On top of the residential brief, a commercial workspace for culinary production was also required, as well as a productive garden where the owner can grow their food.
Designed to support the site’s small-scale vegetable production, Melba Pavillion stands as a minimalist wood construction. Continuing Maison Melba’s story of sustainability, the pavilion embodies the philosophy of regeneration and self-sufficiency that lies behind the whole initiative.
Not only binding the project together as a working and living space, Melba Pavillion is also seamlessly integrated into its surrounding natural landscape. The 45 m. sq structure is placed alongside a greenhouse that facilitates efficient food production, promoting responsible cultivation practices.
Meanwhile, the landscaping by local permaculture experts Écomestible, follows the rules of ecological, edible and regenerative landscape design. And it’s here where Melba Pavillion is harmoniously fused among the resilient native species that surround it.
In addition to the home’s eco-credentials, the garden structure echoes the design simplicity of the main house. Such as the hemlock wood used for the timber frame, mirroring Maison Melba’s interior of exposed structural beams. All the while becoming a sculptural pinpoint in the garden. “The design is inspired by the rhythmic repetition of trusses that were stripped during the renovation work of the old home, resulting in a unique functional structure.”
The concept behind Melba Pavillion adopts Kenneth Frampton’s “Studies in Tectonic Culture”, emphasising the expressive and creative potential of a build. As well as the importance of material choices and assembly that define its impact on the space. Utilising a vernacular roof (with polycarbonate translucent roof panels opening a dialogue with the neighbouring greenhouse), large eaves protect the open area below, naturally providing a work area sheltered from the elements.
Project details:
Project size: 45 m. sq
Location: Frelighsburg, Québec, Canada
Client: Maison Melba
Architect: Atelier L’Abri
Landscape architect: Écomestible
Contractor Construction Modular Engineers: Poincaré Ingénierie
Photos: Alex Lesage
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