Subtle Harmony: Atelier Matière Première – Nu Drom

Atelier Matière Première – Nu Drom emerges as a quietly confident gesture in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, where architecture, light, and landscape converse in equal measure. Set against the forested slopes overlooking Mount Orford, the project brings together a design studio, a construction firm, and a woodworking partner under one roof—yet it feels anything but crowded. Here’s a closer look at how this thoughtful ensemble took shape.

The Minds Behind the Build

Matière Première Architecture and Nu Drom Construction have been partners since 2016, united by a desire to bridge drawing board and building site. The founding trio—Etienne Chausse, Marc-Antoine Chrétien, and Dominic Chausse—split roles between big-picture vision and hands-on craft. Alongside their woodworking collaborator, they targeted a former restaurant site at Magog’s entrance, seeing in its pine-clad slopes both a blank slate and a local touchstone. The shared authorship meant carpenters and architects were elbows-deep in the same conversations, keeping quality and intention aligned from first sketch to final sawn joint.

Concept: A Subtle Dialogue with Nature

Rather than impose a flashy statement, the team opted for restraint. The office’s pared-back gabled form nods to rural vernacular, while its untreated white cedar skin will silver in concert with the seasons. Windows stretch from floor to ceiling, framing the forest beyond and admitting light as a “living material.” On summer afternoons, an exterior timber screen gently filters low-angle sun; in winter, recessed glazing along the south facade becomes a passive solar collector. Together, these moves ensure the building breathes with its surroundings rather than resisting them.

Form and Function: From Studio to Showroom

Inside, function follows fluidity. The ground floor serves as a showroom today and can morph into extra offices tomorrow—no demolition required. Upstairs, the design studio spills out around a sculptural, folded-steel staircase topped in oak, which acts as both connector and centrepiece. Soft fabric-lined millwork, exposed beams, and acoustical treatments strike a balance between workshop energy and quiet focus. Whether you’re presenting a client board or sketching a new detail, the space adjusts without fuss.

Craft, Light, and Adaptability

Landscape architecture acts as the project’s silent partner. Low concrete planters planted with grasses and conifers create a visual buffer between building and forest, marking a gentle threshold rather than a stark boundary. Inside and out, every material—Mac metal roofing, Maxi-Forêt siding, Unik parquet floors—was chosen for its ability to age gracefully and to anchor the building in its ecosystem. The result is less a polished showcase than a living, responsive environment, one that anticipates change and takes its cues from the land.

Technical Sheet