The Evolution Of Home

What began as a DIY log home kit in the 1970s grew with this Canadian couple as their needs changed. Forty years later, it’s still at the heart of family gatherings.

- Anne Gardon and Perry Mastrovito

The word “organic” is defined as something that resembles a living organism in development. So one could certainly refer to this house as organic, since it grew, evolved and adapted over the years to meet the needs of its occupants. It began its life in 1976 as a prefabricated, do-it-yourself eastern-white-pine log home kit from “Les Maisons d’Autrefois du Québec,” a company specializing in the construction of squared log homes (pièce sur pièce) in the 18th century Canadian style.

Easy to build, just like it was advertised, the structure was erected in one day by the owners and a handful of friends, while guided by an expert sent to the site by the company. It was a little over 1,100 square feet — 24-by-36 feet for the main house, plus a 16-by-16-foot breakfast room extension. It was perfect for this couple and their three children at the time. But 12 years and two more kids later, a 500 square foot extension with a garage was added at the back. With five bedrooms, a playroom in the basement and a big backyard, the house was now ideally suited for the whole family.

Eventually, the children left the nest to marry, adding spouses and six grandchildren to the clan. So, in 2009, the kitchen was remodeled to accommodate everyone during the frequent family gatherings held by the couple.

With its weathered-cedar-shingled roof, dormers, stone chimneys and squared log walls, the home resembles a country cottage. With neighbors well hidden from view behind a forest of mature trees, the illusion is complete. No one could guess that the house is located in a popular West Island suburb of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.