Located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Sutton House highlights architecture that respects history while incorporating contemporary needs. Originally built in 1908 and expanded in the 1950s, the house’s heavy stone walls, oversized chimneys, and manor-like geometry reflected its historical roots. However, the interior’s narrow layout and mismatched cement mortar posed challenges in functionality and appearance.
Sutton House Technical Information
- Architects1-3: Pelletier de Fontenay
- Location: Sutton, Quebec, Canada
- Area: 500 m2 | 5,380 Sq. Ft.
- Original Construction Year: 1908
- Renovation Completion Year: 2024
- Photographs: © James Brittain
Rather than creating a contrasting language with its new additions, or trying to mimic the existing building, the project offers a more ambiguous dialogue between old and new, drawing upon the original house’s architectural language to establish a distinctive yet coherent architectural form.
– Pelletier de Fontenay Architects
Sutton House Photographs
Design Approach: Merging Historical and Contemporary Narratives
Pelletier de Fontenay, a Montreal-based architectural studio, worked to conserve the original structure while reorganizing the interior, improving thermal efficiency, and adding a modern extension that connects the house to its landscape. The project balances historical context with contemporary design, demonstrating a thoughtful transformation.
The Sutton House transformation integrates three distinct architectural periods. Instead of contrasting or mimicking the existing structure, the architects used the house’s original language to create a cohesive design. This approach honors its history while marking its evolution.
The new addition echoes the primitive and monolithic character of the original structure with thick walls and deep roof overhangs. Three blocks, housing storage and a fireplace, frame landscape views, and support a large overhanging roof. This roof extends the living spaces outward onto terraces and pathways, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. The low profile ensures the original pitched roofs remain intact and visually prominent.
The extension features a fully glazed roof dormer on the upper floor, marking the transformation inside. A new chimney complements the existing ones, tying together the house’s architectural history. This integration of old and new creates a unified design that respects the home’s past while addressing modern needs.
Sustainability and Passive Design Strategies
Sutton House prioritizes sustainability through restoration, material use, and passive design. Pelletier de Fontenay preserved original materials, including stone walls, timber beams, and fireplaces. Bio-sourced hemp insulation was added to improve thermal performance while maintaining wall breathability. Interior walls were finished with natural lime for moisture control and air circulation.
Locally sourced materials, such as St-Marc limestone for flooring and fieldstones from the site, were integrated into the design. These choices minimized the project’s carbon footprint while maintaining its historical character. Thermal efficiency was enhanced with high-performance wood windows and a heat recovery ventilation system.
Passive strategies reduced energy consumption. The deep roof overhangs protected windows and reduced summer heat gain, while south-facing glazed facades and radiant stone floors captured passive solar energy in winter. Masonry fireplaces served as heat sinks, radiating warmth throughout the home. These measures highlight the project’s sustainable design approach.
Sutton House Plans
Sutton House Image Gallery
About Pelletier de Fontenay
Pelletier de Fontenay is a Montreal-based architectural studio founded in 2010 by Hubert Pelletier and Yves de Fontenay. Known for its rigorous design approach, the firm engages with various projects, including museums, cultural centers, schools, libraries, private residences, and urban planning. Their philosophy centers on creating architecture that balances historical and contextual references with innovative solutions, producing timeless and site-specific designs. By navigating the tension between internal architectural systems and external project conditions, Pelletier de Fontenay consistently delivers projects that are both conceptually rich and contextually responsive, as exemplified by their transformative work on Sutton House.
Credits and Additional Notes
- Design Team: Yves de Fontenay, Hubert Pelletier, Yann Gay-Crosier, Laurence Gaudette, Raphaëe Gendron, Mikaele Fol
- Landscape Design: Friche Atelier
- General Contractor: Menuiserie Simon Fortin
