A family cottage in the Gatineau hills infused with Canadiana shifts its way over the edge of a cliff to command views of the adjacent lake. The retreat is gently embedded in the Canadian Shield; the sleeping quarters firmly set in the rock while the cantilevered family rooms slowly emerge from this stone base. The modest entry visible from the road leads to a calculated, yet tranquil path entering from the forest-side of the house and moving through the space as it opens up onto the lakeside. The house illustrates a warm approach to modernism; white oak boards wrap from wall to floor enhancing the elongated shape of the house and slabs of silver maple create the bathroom vanity. On the exterior, the cladding is composed of an open-joint eastern white cedar, while the stairwell is encased in steel; both are left unfinished to age with the elements. On the lower level, the dormitory style sleeping quarters are again embedded into the rock. Access to the exterior is provided by a walkout from the lower level recreation room, allowing the family easy admittance into nature. Natural cooling is provided by cool air rising from the lake, passing in through the lakeside openings and out through the clerestory windows on the forest elevation. The expanse of windows engages the ephemeral foliage from the treetops to the forest floor. The softness and shadows of the filtered forest light fosters an intimate relationship between the exterior and the interior.
Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Key projects by NOA
NOA is a collective of architects and interior designers founded in 2011 by Stefan Rier and Lukas Ru... More
Introducing the Archello Podcast: the most visual architecture podcast in the world
Archello is thrilled to announce the launch of the Archello Podcast, a series of conversations featu... More
Taktik Design revamps sunken garden oasis in Montreal college
At the heart of Montreal’s Collège de Maisonneuve, Montreal-based Taktik Design has com... More
Carr’s “Coastal Compound” combines family beach house with the luxury of a boutique hotel
Melbourne-based architecture and interior design studio Carr has completed a coastal residence embed... More
Barrisol Light brings the outdoors inside at Mr Green’s Office
French ceiling manufacturer Barrisol - Normalu SAS was included in Archello’s list of 25 best... More
Peter Pichler, Rosalba Rojas Chávez, Lourenço Gimenes and Raissa Furlan join Archello Awards 2024 jury
Peter Pichler, Rosalba Rojas Chávez, Lourenço Gimenes and Raissa Furlan have been anno... More
25 best decorative glass manufacturers
By incorporating decorative glass in projects, such as stained or textured glass windows, frosted gl... More
Introducing Partner Geopietra
Geopietra® is an international brand and an Italian company founded in 1996, specialized in the... More