A series of colorful solar facades and photovoltaic murals give the SunRise tower in Alberta, Canada, renewable energy. Once an aging, 12-story residential building, the retrofit by Mitrex with murals by indigenous artist Lance Cardinal can help reduce carbon emissions by using the building-integrated photovoltaics. These are solar panels that don’t look like the regular ones with a bluish tint. Instead, they resemble tiles or panels, with the energy-absorbing technology hiding underneath them. 

The building-integrated solar facades and photovoltaic murals in Alberta, Canada, work as the sunlight hits the surface of the panels. During the retrofit, the company made sure that the system was large enough to meet the energy goals of the project, so they improved the original plan, which was only for a 60 kW system, and increased it to 267 kW. That big jump can help the building exceed the 50 percent carbon reduction target.

all images courtesy of Mitrex

solar facades and photovoltaic murals in alberta, canada

The colorful solar facades and photovoltaic murals outside of the SunRise tower in Alberta, Canada, double as street art. The building-integrated panels come in a mosaic of granite tones and bright orange, yellow, blue, and purple accents. The murals are found on the northern wall of the building, standing tall at 85 feet, by the Edmonton-based Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal. These photovoltaic murals next to the solar facades in Alberta, Canada, are a tribute to First Nations and Chinese cultures, which are part of the history of the area. It is dubbed the world’s largest BIPV mural, and at the time of publishing, it is being officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. The system is not painted but built directly into the solar panel system. 

Mitrex and the building team, including the architect MBC Group and the contractor Chandos Development, worked carefully to make sure the project would be realized. Before the renovation, the energy company studied the aging building’s needs, created energy models, tested panel colors, and planned a rainscreen system to keep the building safe from different weather conditions. In the end, Mitrex’s solar facades and photovoltaic murals were installed on all four sides of the building in Alberta, Canada (the murals being on the northern wall). The total system is 267 kilowatts, enough to create around 180,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per year, and it is equal to the amount of power used by 23 homes in one year.

these solar facades and murals in Canada resemble tiles or panels with the energy-absorbing technology

they cover the four sides of the building

construction view of the solar facades and murals of SunRise tower in Canada

the retrofit by Mitrex with murals by indigenous artist Lance Cardinal can help reduce carbon emissions

view of the the retrofit by Mitrex with murals by indigenous artist Lance Cardinal

project info:

name: SunRise Retrofit

company: Mitrex | @mitrex_solar

artist: Lance Cardinal | @lancecardinal75

architect: MBC Group

contractor: Chandos Development | @chandosltd

location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 

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Steps of Tranquility by Shuai Zhang is a sculptural amphitheater that brings life to the gently sloping shoreline of Lakeside Park in Canada. This eco-driven public landmark proposal combines locally sourced stone and high-performance glass into terraced platforms that invite everything from casual strolls to cultural gatherings. 

The project honors the natural topography of the site, leveraging early analyses of sun paths, lake breezes, and pedestrian flows to create a terraced sequence that integrates with the landscape. Its form flows organically and,  rather than imposing a rigid structure, echoes the contours of the lakeshore. By creating diverse zones for public use, this sustainable intervention encourages people to reconnect with the water’s edge and each other, activating the waterfront.

images courtesy of Shuai Zhang

natural materials and smart design shape Steps of Tranquility

The project is a result of precise prefabrication, where locally sourced limestone is cut using CNC technology into stone pieces that fit together like puzzle parts, giving the structure solid strength and helping regulate temperature. These stone bases were lifted into place quickly with cranes, creating a strong foundation for the glass structure to be added on top without delay. The glass panels themselves were made in a factory to exact standards – they have clear low-iron cores and special coatings that let in plenty of daylight while blocking out excessive heat from the sun, so people inside can enjoy uninterrupted views of the lake without feeling overheated.

Hidden beneath the southern terraces, a discreet cistern collects rainwater runoff from both the stone and glass surfaces, which is then used to water the surrounding plants, reducing the need for drinking water by as much as 60%. Steps of Tranquility also includes cleverly placed gaps between the terrace slabs and the glass facade that create a natural airflow called the stack effect. Cool air from the lake is drawn in at lower points, while warm air rises and escapes through higher vents, cutting the demand for mechanical cooling by nearly a quarter. Adding to this, recessed LED lights are built into the steps themselves and controlled via a smart network, allowing the lighting to adjust automatically depending on the event or the natural light outside.

Shuai Zhang’s multi-purpose amphitheater aims to bring a new level of life and meaning to the waterfront by combining smart sustainable features, tactile natural materials, and spaces designed for cultural events.

Steps of Tranquility by Shuai Zhang brings life to the gently sloping shoreline of Lakeside Park in Canada

the sculptural amphitheater combines locally sourced stone and high-performance glass

the design flows organically

echoing the contours of the lakeshore

Shuai Zhang creates diverse zones for public use

stone pieces fit together like puzzle parts

locally sourced limestone is cut using CNC technology

Shuai Zhang’s multi-purpose amphitheater aims to bring a new level of life to the waterfront

project info:

name: Steps of Tranquility
architect: Shuai Zhang
location: Lakeside Park, Canada

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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This Pocket Laneway House by Weiss A+U has been completed on a rear lot in Toronto, where its elevated form is carefully designed around the root system of a decades-old maple. Positioned above a carport and anchored by minimal structural supports, the compact dwelling introduces a distinct architectural presence while safeguarding the site’s existing ecology.

The design reflects a sensitivity to the conditions of its site. To maintain the health of the maple tree near the southeast corner, the building’s primary volume is lifted off the ground, supported on one side by a V-shaped steel column set on helical piers and on the other by a mechanical core that doubles as a structural anchor. A double cantilevered HSS beam spans the unit’s base, creating a floating effect that allows for air, water, and root movement beneath.

the Pocket Laneway House is located on a rear lot in Toronto | image © Birdhouse Media

weiss A+U designs for sustainability and adaptability

Below Weiss A+U’s Pocket Laneway House in Toronto, the open carport serves multiple purposes. It preserves permeability across the site while offering space for vehicle storage, including infrastructure for an electric car charger. The architects finish the underside in natural cedar, introducing a warmer material tone that contrasts with the corrugated galvalume metal cladding above.

Inside the unit, the layout supports both privacy and future adaptability. Initially conceived as a secondary suite for the client’s children as they transition into adulthood, the space is also equipped to function as an independent residence for a caregiver, aligning with the family’s long-term goals around aging in place.

In keeping with the city’s goals for densification and low-impact housing, the laneway home surpasses Ontario Building Code SB-12 energy performance standards. The restrained palette and efficient footprint contribute to its measured environmental profile, while the carefully configured massing avoids overbuilding on a narrow, rear-lot site.

it is raised above the ground to protect the roots of a maple tree | image © Birdhouse Media

the underside of the unit forms a cedar clad-carport and an EV charging station | image © Birdhouse Media

a V-shaped steel column and mechanical service core support the elevated structure | image © Birdhouse Media

corrugated galvalume panels wrap the compact treehouse-like form | image © Birdhouse Media

the project creates an independent living space for family members | image © David Whittaker

the layout supports aging in place through flexible residential use | image © David Whittaker

project info:

name: Pocket Laneway House

architect: Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Limited | @weiss_au

location: Toronto, Canada

principal: Kevin Weiss

exterior photography: © Birdhouse Media | @birdhousemedia

interior photography: © David Whittaker | @davidwhittakerphotographer

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Alexandre Bernier Architecte’s Maison-Jardin BEAU hides within Montreal’s St-Henri neighborhood with an understated confidence. Here, in a district shaped by industrial history and tight urban fabric, the house maintains a quiet autonomy. Its slender vertical form, shaped by concrete, engages gently with the street, while turning its focus inward toward a garden.

The architect approaches the project as a radical interpretation of the traditional Montreal duplex. Constructed almost entirely from concrete, from structural core to floor surfaces, the house proposes a bold redefinition of domestic architecture. In a city where residential buildings are often timber-framed, this mono-material choice sets the project apart, both in presence and performance.

images © Maxime Brouillet

Maison-Jardin beau Opens onto a Garden

With its Maison-Jardin BEAU, Alexandre Bernier Architecte reveals a subtle duality. The design team pairs concrete’s density with a transparent garden-facing elevation, allowing the home to breathe within its envelope. Its structural core supports open, stacked floor plates, freeing the facades to invite light into every corner. Against the solidity of its mineral surfaces, shadows from surrounding foliage animate the interiors with a gentle rhythm.

On the ground floor, the boundary between home and garden dissolves. Alexandre Bernier designs the residence with a sliding glass wall that retracts entirely, allowing daily life to spill into the landscape. A shallow reflecting pool stretches across the threshold, gathering sky and sunlight, offering a quiet contrast to the house’s heft and grounding its mass in an element of weightless movement.

Maison-Jardin BEAU is located in Montreal’s St-Henri neighborhood

alexandre bernier responds to urban living

Alexandre Bernier Architecte curates the interiors of its Maison-Jardin BEAU with expressive concrete, a raw material palette which reveals a surprising softness. The team selects distinct finishes — scarified terrazzo floors glint with exposed aggregate while the formwork’s traces remain visible on the walls. These surfaces, though heavy in material, become tactile and expressive. A fourteen-foot kitchen island, sculpted with rounded edges, serves as both anchor and gathering place, cast in the same concrete language as the rest.

The architecture does not rely on concrete just for its design aesthetic. Alexandre Bernier taps into its thermal properties to regulate interior comfort. The mass stores heat in winter and moderates temperature in summer, assisted by a radiant floor system that runs through the home. The structure’s integrity allows for larger window openings, which are strategically oriented to optimize daylight and seasonal solar gain.

The home is a new response to urban living. Rather than expanding outward, the compressed volume opens vertically and allows the garden to flourish around it. This way, the space feels private and intimate, yet it opens widely onto its surroundings. In this balance of contrasts, the house cultivates a way of living that feels both resilient and open to change.

Alexandre Bernier designs the vertical single-family home to be constructed almost entirely of concrete

sliding glass doors on the ground floor dissolve the boundary between the house and garden

the solidity of concrete is balanced with openness toward a private garden through a transparent facade

the project reinterprets the typical duplex by replacing wood construction with a concrete structure

a long, curved, concrete kitchen island serves as a sculptural centerpiece within the open-plan interior

varied concrete finishes include scarified terrazzo floors and formwork-marked walls

project info:

name: Maison-Jardin BEAU

architect: Alexandre Bernier Architecte | @alexandrebernierarchitecte

location: Montreal, Canada

photography: © Maxime Brouillet | @maximebrouillet

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Photographer Brendan Burden turns his lens on one of Canada’s most enigmatic relics of Cold War history: the Diefenbunker. Nestled beneath the quiet town of Carp, Ontario, just west of Ottawa, the sprawling underground facility was built in secrecy between 1959 and 1961. Officially named the Central Emergency Government Headquarters, the Diefenbunker was commissioned by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker as part of Canada’s contingency planning during a time of global nuclear tension.

Government Office – Central Mortgage & Housing Corporation. one wonders why this Crown Corporation would be considered necessary in a nuclear crisis | all images Brendan Burden 

Capturing The Diefenbunker’s legacy

Designed to shelter key government and military personnel in the event of a nuclear strike, the four-story, 100,000-square-foot bunker was equipped with fortified walls, independent power supplies, and enough resources to support life for up to 30 days. Despite its elaborate infrastructure, the facility was never used for its original purpose and instead operated in various government capacities until its decommissioning in 1994.

Now serving as Canada’s Cold War Museum and a designated National Historic Site, the Diefenbunker is the subject of a recent photographic series by Brendan Burden. The Canadian photographer captures its preserved interior as an austere yet compelling space—one that reflects both the architectural intent and the psychological weight of Cold War-era preparedness. His images frame the structure not just as a relic, but as a monument to a tense and uncertain chapter in modern history.

the War Cabinet room served as the decision-making hub for Canada’s emergency government during a national crisis

the War Cabinet room, where smoking was allowed until the 1980’s

the Communications Room in the Diefenbunker was a highly secure space essential for relaying top-secret military intelligence and orders during a nuclear crisis

the dental office, which saw little use during its operational years as CFS Carp, but was well-equipped to perform everything from cleaning to tooth extractions

the Online Cryptography (OLC) room

vintage computers in the Ottawa Semi-Automatic Exchange (OSAX) room, which required top secret clearance to access

the Prime Minister’s office

on of 18 offices designated as government offices for Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works, and the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources

the dining hall with one of the few surviving murals, meant to act as a window to the outside world and remind bunker personnel what was being protected.

retro vinyl flooring and space divider in the dining hall/recreation room

Photographs taken with permission from the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum. Historical details provided by the museum.

project info:

name: Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War
designer: The Foundation Company of Canada
photography: Brendan Burden | @brendan.burden

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

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In the rolling landscape of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, Matière Première realizes its Nu Drom Offices. The architecture feels less like a new construction and more like a natural extension of its site. Designed and built by the Quebecois architecture studio together with its design-build company Nu Drom, the project introduces a permanent workspace that brings together design, craft, and place into a cohesive whole.

The architects envision the offices as part of a two-building campus alongside an artisanal production facility, both crafted to read as a unified ensemble. Situated on a pine-forested site at the edge of Magog, the timber buildings embody a shared sensibility: careful placement, coherent materiality, and an ongoing dialogue with the mountainous setting, including a direct view toward Mount Orford.

Matière Première and Nu Drom create a new office complex outside Quebec | image © Ian Balmorel

nu drom offices: Buildings That Breathe

With the new offices, Architecture office Matière Première and design-build studio Nu Drom approach the site’s layered history with sensitivity, honoring its past as a beloved local gathering spot. As project leader Etienne Chaussé explains, the process began by listening — to the land’s subtle contours, its memory, and the evolving needs of the team itself. Each building takes shape with a low-slung silhouette, echoing Quebec’s vernacular rural architecture, using restrained forms to blend architecture with environment. Full-height windows orchestrate shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day, while untreated white cedar cladding will weather into a soft gray, allowing the building to mature gracefully within the rolling fields.

Landscape architecture is at the heart of the project. The site’s natural character is carefully maintained, while a clear threshold demarcates the built and the wild. Low concrete planters, native grasses, and quiet paving gestures establish a gentle transition that asserts human presence without overwhelming the fragile local ecology.

landscape design is integrated to define a subtle threshold between built and wild areas | image © Ian Balmorel

Matière Première Defines a Threshold with Landscape

Matière Première interiors that balance openness with intimacy, featuring a sculptural staircase of folded steel and oak that acts as a vertical anchor. Exposed wooden beams and fabric-lined millwork enrich the tactile and acoustic atmosphere, while the flexible ground floor — currently a showroom — is designed to evolve easily into future workspace needs.

With Nu Drom, Matière Première Architecture makes natural light and passive thermal strategies central to the design, orienting glazed facades to modulate seasonal temperature changes. A recessed glass wall on the southern side provides a thermal buffer zone, while a timber brise-soleil on the western facade filters strong afternoon light, ensuring comfort without severing the vital connection to the outdoors.

Daylight is used not just as an environmental factor, but as an architectural material in itself. Sunlight animates the interiors, shifting across surfaces with the seasons, making light a fundamental element of the building’s identity and reinforcing the studio’s tactile, nature-driven design ethos.

a rural-inspired silhouette evolves with the surrounding environment | image © Alex Lesage

the project honors the site’s history and natural memory | image © Alex Lesage

the two buildings are designed as a unified ensemble facing Mount Orford | image © Ian Balmorel

the team prioritizes passive strategies to maximize natural light and thermal comfort | image © Alex Lesage

warm interiors are curated with sculptural elements and flexible layouts | image © Alex Lesage

daylight is treated as an architectural material fundamental to the building’s identity | image © Ian Balmorel

project info:

project title: Nu Drom Offices

architecture: Matière Première Architecture | @matierepremiere.architecture

construction: Nu Drom Construction | @nu_drom

location: Magog, Canada

photography: © Alex Lesage, © Ian Balmorel

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Maison A is a restoration and expansion project of a residence in Quebec, originally designed in the 1960s by architect Jacques de Blois. Over time, the building underwent several alterations that diminished its architectural clarity. The current intervention by Atelier Pierre Thibault, developed over several years starting from 2014, reestablishes the spatial and material integrity of the original structure while adapting it to contemporary needs.

The existing house had a modest footprint that no longer accommodated the functional requirements of its occupants. A new annex was introduced perpendicular to the original volume, defining the site’s main entrance and framing the asymmetrical ridge of the house. This addition unfolds horizontally along the topography, with a clear linear organization of spaces, primarily bedrooms and work areas, aligned along a glazed corridor that opens onto a garden. In contrast, the original volume retains its vertical configuration. This portion now houses the main living spaces, restructured around a multifunctional wooden core containing a pantry, powder room, and mezzanine. This central element, set apart from the original walls, defines distinct programmatic zones of the kitchen, dining, living, and play areas, while maintaining open circulation and visual continuity. The structure’s original A-frame geometry and exposed wood decking are preserved, with new skylights and large openings providing daylight and views toward the surrounding forest and distant Saint Lawrence River.

all images by Maxime Brouillet

Maison A’s Intersecting Geometries restore linear flow

Material choices emphasize cohesion and continuity across old and new. The designers at Atelier Pierre Thibault opt for light-colored finishes and a concrete floor to connect the annex and the restored house, while incorporating extensive glazing to foster a strong relationship with the landscape. The new wing also includes integrated elements such as a long reading and study counter that transitions into an outdoor platform. The master bedroom, located at the far end of the addition, is elevated to provide unobstructed views of the river. Both pavilions operate in visual and spatial dialogue. Their differing orientations, vertical and horizontal, support distinct functional and experiential zones, yet their complementary forms reinforce each other. A glazed walkway connects the two structures, designed to operate like a footbridge, enabling visual access to the site’s landscape interventions. The exterior terrain has been reconfigured with native vegetation and edible plants, supporting ecological reintegration while contrasting with the interior’s ordered axes. Externally, the original building’s form has been preserved, while the annex introduces a more subdued and linear counterpoint. The design prioritizes the natural topography and orientation, integrating framed perspectives that guide visitors through a sequence of experiences, from the entrance through the built spaces, to the wider natural context.

Maison A illustrates a design methodology grounded in spatial clarity, continuity, and material restraint. It offers a model for how existing residential structures can be adapted and extended without compromising their architectural identity. The project emphasizes the potential of architecture to engage sensitively with both its physical context and original design intent through deliberate and measured interventions.

restoration and expansion of a 1960s residence by Atelier Pierre Thibault

the original A-frame structure retains its vertical presence within the updated design

a new annex redefines the entrance and aligns with the site’s topography

linear organization in the annex creates a sequence of bedrooms and workspaces

a glazed corridor connects interior spaces with the surrounding garden

skylights and large windows bring daylight deep into the restored interiors

the central wooden core structures circulation around living, dining, and play zones

visual dialogue between vertical and horizontal volumes creates balance

a glazed footbridge links the original volume and the new addition

light-colored finishes and concrete flooring unify the old and new volumes

a long reading counter extends into an outdoor platform facing the landscape

the original structure’s wood decking and frame are preserved and revealed

the master bedroom at the end of the annex offers expansive river views

project info:

name: Maison A
architect: Atelier Pierre Thibault | @atelierpierrethibault

location: Saint-Nicolas, Quebec, Canada

area: 1500 sqft new and 1500 sqft renovation

project manager: Mathieu Leclerc

design team: Mathieu Leclerc, Julien Beauchamp, Pierre Thibault

contractor: Sequoia Constructions

structural engineer: Charles-Étienne Martel (Can-Explore)

cabinetry: Cuisiconcept

landscape: Repères

exterior wall material: Atelier du bois David Gilbert, stained white cedar

windows: Shalwin, aluminum windows and doors, clear anodized finish

photographer: Maxime Brouillet |@maximebrouillet

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Located in Châteauguay, a suburb of Montreal, a new residence by Paul Bernier Architecte involves the renovation of a heritage building from 1814 and the addition of a contemporary extension. Positioned near the river and overlooking Martineau Park, the residence is influenced by its tranquil surroundings and strong presence of vegetation.

Originally a weaving workshop for a religious community, the existing structure was carefully renovated from within to reveal its original framework and materials. The extension was designed with a subdued approach to maintain the prominence of the heritage house. With a narrow width and a low-sloped roof, the addition remains respectful of the historical architecture. Positioned toward the back of the lot, the extension does not obstruct sunlight from reaching the original building.

Paul Bernier renovates a heritage building from 1814 and adds a modern extension | images © Raphaël Thibodeau

paul bernier architecte links the old and new

Architect Paul Bernier links the two volumes of the Châteauguay residence with a glass walkway, ensuring that the original house remains fully visible from the street. This transparent connection highlights the distinction between the two periods of construction. The extension’s exterior, clad in graying cedar and rough concrete, complements the warm gray tones of the original stone. The walkway’s metal cladding echoes the old house’s gray Canadian-style sheet metal roof. The choice of materials ensures durability and allows for a natural patina to develop over time, reinforcing the relationship between past and present.

The house’s integration with the landscape extends beyond its physical connection to the existing structure. A green roof and thoughtful exterior design interact with the site’s natural elements. Large stones are placed between the two sections of the house, forming a channel that directs water toward the river. On the street-facing side, the extension is built on a concrete base, while at the rear, it is elevated on thin columns, reducing its impact on the ground and giving it a floating appearance over the landscape.

a glass walkway connects the old and new structures, maintaining visibility of the heritage house

Vertical openwork boards clad the annex, allowing air and water to pass through while also serving as privacy screens for the covered terrace and select windows. The green roof helps regulate water runoff, contributing to the resilience of the local aquifer network.

In contrast to the original house’s thick walls and deep-set, limited openings, the extension introduces larger windows, creating a bright and airy atmosphere with improved natural ventilation. The bathroom window facing the street is concealed behind an openwork screen for privacy. On the opposite side, the bedroom appears to float above the courtyard, opening onto a terrace that provides an expansive view of the wooded landscape and river through large glass doors.
a green roof and vertical openwork boards enhance sustainability and privacy

‘De-Renovation’ of the Heritage House

With the renovation of the heritage house in Châteauguay, Paul Bernier Architecte follows an approach that removes rather than adds, restoring original architectural elements that had been concealed over time. Stone walls are exposed by stripping away partitions, and a traditional staircase is centrally positioned, detached from perimeter walls and integrated with the kitchen. The project minimizes built-in interventions, allowing only movable furnishings to make contact with the stone. The same approach is applied to the basement and upper floor, reinforcing a sense of historical authenticity.

Entry is through the original ground-floor entrance on the street side. Inside, the staircase and kitchen counter naturally divide the open-plan space into two zones — one housing the kitchen and the other the living room. The connection to the extension occurs via the glass walkway, where the transition between old and new is immediately perceptible. Stepping onto the walkway momentarily places visitors outside, suspended between two eras. The flooring material shifts from wood to concrete, reinforcing the contrast.

the renovation reveals the heritage house’s original stone walls and structure
the circulation is designed to create a fluid transition from the historic home to the modern extension

a central concrete volume separates the master bedroom and bathroom

the project is located near the river and overlooks Martineau park in Châteauguay, a suburb of Montreal

the extension is clad in graying cedar and rough concrete, complementing the stone of the original house

project info:

name: Châteauguay Residence

architect: Paul Bernier Architecte | @paulbernierarchitecte

location: Châteauguay, Québec, Canada

design team: Paul Bernier, Luc-Olivier Daigle, Evelyne St-Jacques Structural engineers: Alain Mousseau (Calculatec)

photography: © Raphaël Thibodeau | @raphael_thibodeau

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Located on the shores of Lake Saint-Jean in Quebec, The Cache residence by Delordinaire Architects in collaboration with Annie Sylvain Architects utilizes a modular system designed to integrate into its secluded surroundings. Building on the innovative legacy of their 2020 project High House, Delordinaire continues rethinking residential typologies with their signature elevated stilt design. Prefabricated in northern Montreal, this typology reduces the environmental footprint, requiring minimal foundations and preserving the natural terrain. This approach creates a shaded outdoor space beneath the dwelling, ideal for warmer months, offering elevated interior views that immerse residents in the stunning landscape.

all images by Félix Michaud, courtesy of Delordinaire

the modular cache houses are tailored to their location

True to Delordinaire’s architectural philosophy, the 50-square-meter residence is clad in larch wood, with clean lines and geometric forms. Carefully transported and installed on-site, each home is uniquely tailored to its specific location, with adjustments in height and orientation optimizing sunlight, ventilation, and views. The central living area, a focal point of the design, features expansive bay windows that offer views of the vast horizon of Lake Saint-Jean. 

Delordinaire describes their approach as more than functional—it’s about creating spaces that ‘resonate.’ This means encouraging mindfulness and cultivating a heightened sensitivity to the environment. Through the thoughtful use of natural materials, precise proportions, and strategic openings, The Cache creates a link between its inhabitants and the natural surroundings. The elevated design, meticulous craftsmanship, and intimate scale of the Cache draw occupants into an intimate communion with the natural beauty of Lake Saint-Jean. ‘Through our creations, we aim to offer more than a functional habitat. It is a way of living—contemplative moments suspended in time,’ the team at Delordinaire explains.

The Cache is located on the shores of Lake Saint-Jean in Quebec

utilizing a modular system designed to integrate into its secluded surroundings

Delordinaire continues their rethinking of residential typologies

prefabricated in northern Montreal, this typology reduces the environmental footprint

requiring minimal foundations and preserving the natural terrain

the approach creates a shaded outdoor space beneath the dwelling

offering elevated interior views that immerse residents in the landscape

the 50-square-meter residence is clad in larch wood, with clean lines and geometric forms

each home is uniquely tailored to its specific location

project info: 

name: The Cache

architect: Delordinaire | @delordinaire

location: Lake Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada

area: 50 square meters

collaborators: Annie Sylvain Architects | @asylvain_architecte
photographer: Félix Michaud | @michaudfelix_photo

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The Nancy Pauw Bridge, designed by StructureCraft, fulfills a century-old vision for Banff, Canada, by connecting Central Park to the Banff Recreation Grounds. Spanning 80 meters, this innovative timber arch bridge provides striking views of the Rocky Mountains and a graceful crossing over the Bow River. During its first summer, it welcomed over 300,000 users, showcasing ambitious design and construction.

Banff’s newest pedestrian bridge connects key social infrastructure while serving as a destination itself. Like its sister bridge downstream, the Nancy Pauw Bridge features an 80m clear span, constructed using stepped Glulam girders and weathering steel haunches. This slender yet robust structure harmonizes with its surroundings, offering uninterrupted views while maintaining environmental integrity. The bridge represents the realization of a 108-year-old plan initially envisioned in 1914. Thanks to a private donation from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation, this long-held dream became a reality on September 6, 2022, with hundreds attending its grand opening.

all images courtesy of StructureCraft

StructureCraft’s Engineering Blends Precision and Sustainability

The Bow River’s glacier-fed waters and its sensitive ecosystem posed unique design challenges for StructureCraft’s engineers. To address these, they implemented a clear span design to protect the river, incorporated minimal slopes and ramps for accessibility, ensured adequate flood clearance and wildlife passage, and crafted a form that seamlessly blends with the Rocky Mountain landscape. The resulting structure is a shallow arch with a rise-to-span ratio of 1:20, a feat previously unattempted with timber. Achieving this required extensive non-linear soil-structure analysis to accommodate the arch’s significant lateral thrust, stiffened supports at the ends to prevent snap-through buckling, and large-diameter piles with thick pile caps to stabilize the foundation in dense sedimentary soils. Balancing technical precision with natural beauty, the design features slender Glulam beams and weathering steel haunches, ensuring both structural stability and visual harmony.

the Nancy Pauw Bridge spans 80 meters, offering a graceful timber arch across the Bow River in Banff

To minimize environmental impact, the bridge sections were prefabricated and assembled offsite into two sections. Glulam beams were fabricated, coated, and transported to the site, where two 40-meter-long bridge halves, each weighing 32,000 kg, were assembled onshore. These sections were erected simultaneously and joined with a central thrust hinge, which was later secured with straps. Strict tolerances ensured structural integrity, with deflections during construction proving smaller than anticipated. The efficient installation process allowed the bridge to open ahead of schedule and under budget. The Nancy Pauw Bridge’s slender design (span-to-depth ratio >65) and sustainable materials showcase engineering excellence while blending effortlessly into Banff’s natural beauty.

slender Glulam girders and weathering steel haunches create the diaphragm to resist lateral movements

crafted to harmonize with the Rocky Mountains, the bridge’s design emphasizes environmental integrity

a central thrust hinge connects the two bridge halves, secured with straps for long-term stability

more than a crossing, the Nancy Pauw Bridge is a blend of technical precision and natural harmony

minimal slopes and ramps ensure accessibility for all users while preserving the natural landscape

stiffened supports and large-diameter piles stabilize the bridge’s foundation in dense sedimentary soils

the bridge’s slender profile achieves a remarkable span-to-depth ratio of over 65

the bridge subtly lights up at night contrasting the Rocky Mountain backdrop

sustainable materials and efficient prefabrication highlight the bridge’s eco-conscious construction

a 108-year-old vision realized, the bridge connects Banff’s Central Park to the Recreation Grounds

the bridge was installed in a single day using skilled carpenters and two massive Mammoet cranes

project info:

name: Nancy Pauw Bridge

structural engineer, design-build contractor: StructureCraft | @structurecraft_

clearspan: 80 m

location: Banff, AB, Canada

client: Town of Banff

landscape architect: groundcubed

geotechnical design: Thurber Engineering Ltd.

environmental design: Avens Consulting Inc.

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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