A couple with a passion for gastronomy and Charlevoix dreamed of designing a contemporary residence in this exceptional natural setting, both to enjoy a pied-à-terre in this region but also to create a holiday home where families, friends or colleagues could gather. Inspired by the breathtaking views of the river and the picturesque rural setting, and guided by Architecture49 through all phases of design and construction, the owners succeeded in creating a home with a minimalist and sustainable design that honours the experience of the place in all its simplicity and beauty.
Article summary
- The charm of Charlevoix
- The Resort’s design
- Design connects with the land
- Natural materials and local know-how
- Gallery
The charm of Charlevoix
Charlevoix is known for the majesty of its landscapes: the St-Laurent river meets the sea, the mountains of the Hautes Gorges flank fertile plains, under a sky that plays the role of a moving painting. The region, its terroir and the people who live there receive many visitors every season seduced by its authenticity. The region’s architecture combines historic buildings and resolutely contemporary works. Le Littoral blends into this environment by deconstructing and reworking the silhouette of the region’s agricultural buildings, making it a resolutely contemporary luxury tourist residence that discreetly blends into its surroundings.
The Resort Project
In order to make Le Littoral an ideal meeting place and resort, conducive to creating memorable moments for the people who stay there, Architecture49 has created an elegant and functional environment, full of discreetly integrated facilities. A swimming pool, sauna, fireplace and spa contribute to the comfort and relaxation of its occupants. The kitchen, which occupies an important space on the upper floor, is equipped with a multitude of professional tools for amateur chefs and gastronomes to take full advantage of the high agricultural and culinary centre that is Charlevoix. A neutral colour palette (limited to black, white and wood), a wooden structure with noble material finishes, the use of off-centre volumes and form determining function are trademarks of Architecture49. The desire of the designer and the owners was to create a home from which a sense of comfort, peace and calm emanates so that people can feel that the spaces contribute to their well-being. The building, which is minimalist and easy to understand and live in, leaves plenty of space for users to express themselves freely and make the most of the spaces, connecting with the environment. This is a house built for Charlevoix rather than a house built in Charlevoix.
Design connects with the land
Inserting a resolutely contemporary house into an impressive natural environment was a challenge, but it also created the interest of the project itself. A special effort was made to minimise the impact on the land, wood cutting and landscape, so as to envelop the residence in a natural environment while enhancing the majestic view towards the St-Laurent river and the bay of La Malbaie. Thus, the cottage was built high up, resting on the gentle slope and without a basement, in order to avoid extensive excavation. The general shape of the house plan follows that of the land, all along its length, and is arranged on a precise axis, chosen to offer a frontal view of the river and great intimacy, thanks to the forest, at the back. Around this axis, volumes, openings and interior rooms are optimally positioned. Their layout minimises energy consumption in both summer and winter, creating a cocoon that maximises the intimacy of its occupants while offering the rooms the soft luminosity of a forest clearing.
Natural materials and local know-how
The project was realised with local resources, in collaboration with local companies and craftsmen. The structure, assembled a few kilometres from the house using locally produced FSC-certified wood, creates the skeleton of the building. The choice of natural materials, such as eastern cedar and pine, produced in the region, was obvious. Subsequently, the selection of equipment and local suppliers was central to the project. The kitchen worktop is made of Quebec granite, the roof is made of contemporary sheet metal, the chimney has a high ecological performance, the swimming pool and even the home automation are produced by Quebec companies that demonstrate the know-how and technology of the province.
Gallery
