Project: Winter Chalet
Architects: Delordinaire
Location: Quebec, Canada
Year: 2017
Photo Credits: Olivier Blouin
Text by Delordinaire
Our design for this private house plays with the limits between interior and exterior and invites people to gather in spaces that are immersed in nature.
Elevated stilt constructions are typically used in warm climates and flood zones. This winter chalet uses the stilt typology to create a protected ground floor area with an outdoor stove. It is an unusual space where residents can be amongst nature and the snowy exterior while still having some protection from the elements. Rather than blending into the nearby trees, the winter chalet complements the snow-covered landscape around it.
The stilt typology also raises the house above the surrounding tree line giving it an uninterrupted view of the Mont Saint Anne from the lounge room and striking overall aesthetic. It also allows sunshine to directly enter the house at all hours of the day.
The clean, sharp lines and volumes are achieved through the use of white concrete panel cladding and corrugated steel roof panels. On a cloudy, snowy day, the house blends into the white landscape, almost disappearing and on summers day the minimal white structure cuts a clear form against the surrounding green hills.
