Bourgeois/Lechasseur Architectes sign a house which is created from the confluence between the traditional style of Canadian Atlantic coast houses with contemporary architecture. Elements of vernacular architecture, such as coatings of cedar siding or the gabled zinc roof, contrast with brand new concepts added by the architects as the shape and conformation of spaces of the dwelling.
The interior is divided into two levels: A ground floor that houses the access to the interior and the most public part of the house in a single fluid space (kitchen, living room, dining room... all in one). The bedrooms are located in the first floor, each with a different view to the surrounding woods. The inner texture of the walls is determined by the strong presence of cedar shakes, which stand up from the rest of white walls.
Description of the project by Bourgeois/Lechasseur Architectes
When we first visited the property, we were charmed by the dense, leafy forest and deer close by. The property is bordered by a stream, and the sound of the water is both soothing and inspiring. It is located at the end of a mountainous domain, close to the heart of the village of North Hatley. The winding ‘’Méandres’’ road leads to the property, and the project is nestled in one of its sharp curves.
Upon approach, the house has a strong presence, but its build and size give it a traditional look. Wandering through the property, the cedar seems to step back, allowing the indoors to mingle with the outdoors. It is almost like a boat that has come to rest on the banks of a bend in the river. The house is nestled into the side of the mountain, as if it slid, stopping just before the chasm. The main floor literally opens into the forest, and the upper level seems to float above it. The screened-in room, a continuation of the glass wall, reaches toward the forest, drawing the stream closer.
The KL house's natural cedar siding and tin roof are reminiscent of some of North Hatley's country homes. However, its elongated and streamlined shape contrasts subtly with the older, opulent homes on the shore of the lake. The house, and its adjacent garage, have a simple and well-assumed volumetry and a slanted roof with a small overhang, but this simplicity is destabilized by subtle shaping. The overhanging upper level covers the porch and terrace, protecting the windowed rooms on the main floor from the summer heat.
The entrance hall leads to a bright transition area that opens up vertically, providing a glimpse of the upper level and its cedar ceiling. The living areas flow through an open, longitudinal space that offers a constant view of the forest. Dark trims around the windows enliven the home's long facade. This linear movement continues and folds indoors to house the living room. A change in shape creates the library and the foyer. This darker area contrasts nicely with the white walls and lustrous furniture. The wood floors add a soft quality to the project. The open staircase invites the occupants to climb up. The upstairs walls are covered in cedar slats. An office area and long, low storage furnish the space. The bedrooms and bathroom are simple and discrete, each one providing a partial view of the landscape. A very large window in the master bedroom offers a glimpse of the lake through the trees.
In response to the clients' wishes, the KL house looks "like a house" but also sets itself apart, in all simplicity, by re-interpreting the region's early country homes. It also has a friendly maritime feel, far from the Atlantic.
