​Paul Bernier Architects

Why you should know him:

Paul Bernier has been creating stunning homes in both rural and urban areas of Quebec for almost two decades. His works can be recognized by an emphasis on natural light, custom-made furniture, and a sophisticated use of simple and raw materials such as wood, stone, metal, concrete, and glass.

In 2015, Paul Bernier completed a cedar-clad cottage called House on Lac Grenier (shown), and gave the long and narrow volume a turn near the halfway point. The bend was, in part, his way of maximizing on views of the surrounding landscape in Quebec cottage country. The cedar slat project got mega-attention from architectural press, too, for its site sensitivity. The asymmetry of the project was also designed to work its way between a stream on the south end and a steep slope on the north side.

Besides its beauty, House on Lac Grenier is sustainable and uses passive solar heating and cooling. The project was a finalist for the 2015 Prix d’excellence de l’Ordre des architectes du Québec.