Project: Ski Country House
Architecture: Luc Plante, architecture + design inc
Engineer: EXP Granby
Contractor: Construction des sommets
Location: Bromont, Quebec, Canada
Photographer: Jean-Guy Lambert
Majestically placed on its wooded perch in the heart of the Eastern Townships, this ski country house is destined to both dominate and blend in with the decor. This duality is intermittently manifested through its vast windows that make us experience the mountain while inside, and also through its well-defined lines that tear through the sky; all this overlooks the Bromont Valley.
The challenge for this project consisted in conforming with the occupants’ wishes while making life easier for skiers in a manner that was comfortable, modern, creative and practical. With direct access to the ski trails, it offers areas such as a mudroom for sports equipment, a festive family room and a large floating terrace perched high on pillars, a privileged observation post overlooking active skiers.
While the ground floor is a sleeping cocoon with a series of bedrooms, the first floor opens onto the steep views where sunshine fills the internal volumes from all sides. With large windows overlooking the ski slopes, the high-ceilinged living room captures light from sunrise to sundown.
The kitchen/dining room area extends outwards, on one side to a roof garden planted with long grass, herbs and spices, and on the other side to a vast wooden terrace. Slightly set back is the master bedroom, which juts out from the main body of the residence, overhanging into the adjacent wooded area.
As soon as we enter the living room, the dizzying height of the ceiling projects us into the impressive natural surroundings. The adjacent woodland extends all the way to the ceiling, thanks to the high windows. The fireplace, as flamboyant from the inside as from the outside, brings a modern, warm and soothing feeling.
The attention to detail can also be seen in the staircase, which is divided into two mirror parts separated by a glass panel. The American walnut for the steps was carefully chosen to create a delicate chessboard motif.
From the outside, the flat roof limits the total height of the residence, highlighting the landscape while clearing the view to the mountaintop.
The exterior finish of white cedar shingles and burnt wood cladding defines and articulates the volumes and varied heights, while harmoniously emphasizing the striking architecture.
Its final signature is its corten steel chimney, creating a vast vertical movement anchored in the surrounding terrain and reaching for the sky, in continuity with the external staircase to the deck.
The landscaping has been deliberately left bare to highlight the magnificent terrain and the striking house that sits on it.
