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A look at a cross section of the Residence de I’Isle from the street to the river.

Chevalier Morales designed the Residence de I’Isle to incorporate a variety of spatial experiences on the ground floor.

A peek at the main floor plan for the Residence de I’Isle, which was inspired by midcentury modernism.

The Residence de I’Isle’s interior and exterior living spaces take up a total of 10,000 square feet.

The rigid geometry of the home sits in pleasing contrast to the enveloping natural landscape.

One of the architects’ main challenges was to maintain the site’s white pine trees. As a result, the construction made use of sophisticated excavation and tree-conservation techniques. This also ensured that there was minimal disturbance to the riverfront during the build in 2019.

The bathroom features timber cabinetry and a natural-stone floor, which echoes the material palette used throughout the rest of the home.

The primary and guest suites are situated on opposite corners of the floor plan, which offers a high level of privacy in both spaces.

The brass staircase was one of the costliest elements of the build. "It was worth investing in [because] it contributes to defining the ambiance of the house in its two most important rooms—the living and dining [areas]," Chevalier states.

A suspended fireplace on the mezzanine level contributes to the overall ambiance of the space, which was designed to feel removed from the other communal living areas.

The stairs that connect the main level to the mezzanine appear to float weightlessly without any visible support.

The home was designed with special attention to midcentury modernist ideals with a focus on the use of public and private spaces, as well as the relationship between interiors and exteriors. The common living spaces are spread out perpendicular to the river which creates a strong link with the landscape.

The entrance to the Residence de l’Isle is planted with large coniferous trees.

The entrance to the home features a direct view of the rear courtyard and garden. "We were inspired by the Case Study Houses and some of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian homes," reveals Chevalier. "The relationship between the interior and exterior gardens was [something we] carefully studied."

The left side of the pool features a terrace and a large outdoor kitchen, while the right side includes suspended lighting and the changing rooms. The masonry screen—which is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian period—allows for a dynamic display of light and shadows on the terrace.

The architects designed the outdoor courtyards to "define the internal geometry of the house," Morales explains.

"We imagined that the pool could function year-round," says Chevalier. "In winter, [it] creates an interesting contrast with the whiteness of the snow."

The pool was purposefully constructed close to the indoor living spaces in order to contribute to the interior ambiance. The material palette was informed by the color of the surrounding trees—clay brick for the walls, wood for the soffits, and stone for the flooring.

The sunken living room features a multifunctional piece of built-in furniture that integrates a sofa, sound system, and television, and also contains a "secret door" that leads to a wine cellar. "[We incorporated this] as a clin d’oeil to the midcentury tradition of built-in work stations and bookshelves," says Morales.