The participatory project by Atelier Pierre Thibault, featured at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (2025), offers an inspiring reinterpretation of Quebec’s vernacular heritage on Île Verte. Set against the backdrop of an isolated island in the Saint Lawrence River, this initiative revives the iconic boucaneries—historic fish smokehouses—transforming them into flexible, community-centered spaces. Their purpose is to promote resilience, autonomy, and cultural continuity in the face of climate change and the island’s unique environmental challenges.

Amidst a landscape shaped by rugged coastlines, rocky beaches, and seasonal flux, the small island’s twenty-five permanent residents depend heavily on traditional practices and innovative adaptations for survival. The project involved a close collaboration with local residents, using ephemeral timber installations as a generative platform for ideas—ranging from greenhouses to artist studios and social gathering places. These structures, inspired by the style of the classic smokehouses, ignited conversations about new possibilities for preserving the island’s heritage while responding to contemporary demands.

Through thoughtful intervention and collective engagement, some of these temporary structures were embraced by the community, becoming tangible markers of their cultural identity and resilience. Others sparked new visions for sustainable living, food autonomy, and cultural expression. This project underscores architecture’s vital role in fostering social bonds, preserving heritage, and imagining adaptive futures in fragile environments. As part of La Biennale di Venezia, this initiative celebrates collective intelligence and the power of participation to forge a more resilient and culturally rich future on Île Verte.