bourgeois / lechasseur wraps canadian house in the woods with cedar shingles

bourgeois / lechasseur wraps house in the woods with cedar shingles
all images by adrien williams

blending into its wooded surroundings, the ‘KL house’ by quebec city-based architects bourgeois / lechasseur has been constructed to encompass a duality between tradition and modern design. the clients asked for a house ‘that looks like a house’ but at the same time reference a style that is seen in properties by the east coast. this has resulted in the cedar-shingled cladding which wraps the entire building.

nestled on the side of a hill, the ground floor opens into the dense, leafy surroundings through a continuation of sliding glass walls. the house, and its adjacent garage, is composed of a simple and well-assumed volumetry and a slanted roof . this simplicity is destabilized by subtle shaping and the overhanging covers the porch and terrace– protecting the windowed rooms on the main floor from the summer heat. the architects opted for the cedar shingles due to its orange hue, adding a warmth to the scheme.

the top shingle volume overhangs slightly to create a shelter to the porch

inside, the entrance hall leads to a bright transition area that opens up vertically, providing a glimpse of the upper level, while the living areas flow through an open, longitudinal space that offers a constant view of the forest. light-filled throughout, the bedrooms and bathroom on the upper floor are simple and discrete, each providing a partial view of the landscape. a very large window in the master bedroom offers a glimpse of the lake through the trees.

its hilltop location allows an uninterrupted view of the pristine woodland

‘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.’