L’atelier Matière Première - Nu Drom | Matière Première Architecture

Matière Première Architecture is an architecture studio based in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Closely partnered since 2016 with its sister company, Nu Drom, a construction firm, the two teams had long been seeking a permanent site to root their shared identity, one built on the seamless integration of design and construction. The opportunity to jointly acquire a site at the gateway of the town of Magog, alongside a third partner from the woodworking industry, marked the starting point of a foundational project. Two buildings were designed by Matière Première Architecture and constructed simultaneously by Nu Drom: one dedicated to artisanal production, and the other conceived as a space for work, reflection, and public engagement. While focusing here on the office building, both structures were envisioned as part of a unified architectural ensemble, coherent in both materiality and placement.

It is in this picturesque region of Quebec, renowned for its mountainous landscapes and lush forests, that a new architectural project emerges—one deeply attuned to its environment. Located on a pine-covered site overlooking Highway 10 and facing Mount Orford, Atelier Matière Première – Nu Drom is more than an architectural intervention; it offers an immersive and tactile experience. The site, steeped in local memories and once home to a beloved restaurant, became the backdrop for Matière Première and its team to root a contemporary vision that pays careful attention to both natural and cultural heritage. "Designing here meant listening first—listening to the land, to the site's history, and to our own needs as creators," says Etienne Chaussé.

A building that lives with the landscape

The office building, with its pared-back silhouette inspired by vernacular rural architecture, is conceived as an evolving showcase for the studio's creative practice. Carefully placed floor-to-ceiling windows create subtle plays of light that shift with the hours and seasons, ensuring that no two experiences within the space feel the same. "We wanted the building to live and breathe in rhythm with its surroundings," explains Marc-Antoine Chrétien, project architect. "Each opening was designed to establish a permanent, almost organic connection with the outdoors." The white cedar cladding, left untreated, will develop a silvery patina over time, echoing the slow evolution of the building in its natural setting.

A deliberate threshold between built and natural

Landscape design played a central role in the project. While the site was chosen for its views, its untouched character also held great value. To protect this integrity, large portions of the terrain were left in their natural state. To define a clear transition between constructed and untouched landscapes, the design team implemented low concrete planters filled with grasses and conifers, as well as carefully placed paving. The goal was to create a visual and sensory buffer between the building and its wooded surroundings—a subtle way to assert human presence while respecting the ecosystem.

Interior spaces of light, warmth, and flexibility

Inside, the architecture balances openness and intimacy, functionality and atmosphere. A sculptural staircase in folded steel, topped with oak, acts as a spatial hinge, linking the more public spaces on the ground floor with the creative studio above. "The exposed beams and fabric-lined millwork are not just aesthetic choices," explains Samuel Godin, project manager. "They contribute to the tactile and acoustic experience, bringing softness and calm to the workplace." Flexibility also drove the interior layout. The ground floor, currently used as a showroom, was conceived to easily convert into additional office space as needs evolve, ensuring longevity without demolition. "Anticipating future needs to avoid unnecessary renovations is a core part of thoughtful architecture," adds Francis Provost, landscape architect and project manager.

Thermal comfort and the role of natural light

Thermal comfort and daylight performance guided design decisions from the earliest sketches. The glazed façades, strategically oriented, help regulate indoor temperature while maximizing natural light intake. On the southern elevation, the glass wall is deliberately recessed from the building envelope, creating a thermal buffer that limits solar heat gain in summer, while enhancing passive heat in winter. To the west, an exterior timber screen filters low-angle afternoon sunlight, providing visual comfort without compromising the connection to the landscape. This harmonious integration of passive strategies helps create spaces that are both comfortable and inspiring. Here, natural light is treated as a living material, fundamental to the firm's architectural approach.

A shared process, a shared place

The design process itself was marked by a spirit of shared authorship. Architects, carpenters, and landscape designers worked in close collaboration throughout all stages of the project, blurring boundaries between disciplines and fostering a deep sense of ownership and pride. The result is a workplace shaped not only by vision, but by the hands and minds of those who now inhabit it. This synergy between concept and craft embodies the studio's ethos: architecture that is felt as much as it is seen.