The residential project Between Lake and Forest by LOCUS architecture + design has received the prestigious SIDEXPLOIT 2025 award, marking a celebrated moment for a work that elevates the expressive potential of real wood siding. The collaboration between LOCUS architecture + design and contractor Construction SYMAT demonstrates how architectural clarity and material sensitivity can create a home deeply connected to its natural surroundings. LOCUS architecture + design continues to refine its position within contemporary Quebec architecture, and its recognition in SIDEXPLOIT 2025 affirms the project’s conceptual and technical strength.
Wood as Architectural Identity
At the heart of the project is an intentional dialogue between structure and landscape, expressed through a meticulous use of white cedar in the exterior cladding. Inspired by European openwork yet tailored to Quebec’s climate, this vertical composition creates a clear and modern rhythm across the facade. The SIDEX SidEXALT model chosen for the residence reinforces durability while offering a refined material character. This thoughtful approach is one reason the jury selected the house as the winner of SIDEXPLOIT 2025, recognizing its ability to balance performance and visual expression.
An Interior That Extends the Landscape
Inside the home, the design team employs white pine as a unifying plane across the main living spaces, allowing the ceiling to act as a natural extension of the outdoor soffits. The material’s softness enhances the spatial calmness and strengthens the indoor–outdoor continuity. This gesture supports LOCUS architecture + design’s vision for a residence that absorbs the surrounding environment rather than competing with it, a quality that resonates with the spirit of the SIDEXPLOIT 2025 award.
A Dialogue of Contrast and Harmony
The combination of dark cedar and pale pine creates a balanced material palette grounded in contrast yet guided by coherence. These choices affirm the project’s commitment to sustainable materials and expressive authenticity. The careful interplay of tones highlights the craftsmanship embedded into the residence and supports the project’s recognition by SIDEXPLOIT 2025 as a model of meaningful wood integration. This, paired with the disciplined architectural vision of LOCUS architecture + design, underscores a thoughtful use of natural resources.
A Model for Contemporary Wood Architecture
Beyond its aesthetic clarity, the house stands as an argument for the continued relevance of wood in contemporary construction. Its performance-driven durability and poetic material atmosphere reflect the core values celebrated by SIDEXPLOIT 2025. As a result, the project serves as an example of how design intention, environmental context, and technical excellence can converge into a unified architectural statement. LOCUS architecture + design’s achievement demonstrates how a residence can remain rooted in its setting while expressing a modern sensibility.
| Technical Sheet – Between Lake and Forest | |
|---|---|
| Project | Between Lake and Forest (Entre Lac et Foret) |
| Architect | LOCUS architecture + design |
| Location | Magog, Quebec, Canada |
| Award | SIDEXPLOIT 2025 |
| Exterior Material | White cedar cladding, SidEXALT model |
| Interior Material | White pine ceiling |
| Contractor | Construction SYMAT |