teedah hammer rethinks a rural quonset to design a light-filled cabin in quebec

an agricultural Form Reconsidered in Quebec

Architectural designer Teedah Hammer completes a compact cabin — the Hanger — in a rural village of Quebec. The project nods to the familiar agricultural Quonset structures which dot the area. In this case, the Quonset has been reworked for contemporary living, its curved steel profile translated into a small dwelling with a footprint covering less than forty square meters.

Hammer describes an early interest in ‘the loftiness that was possible due to the self-supporting nature of the structure,’ along with its durability through harsh winters. That combination shaped the decision to build new rather than adapt an existing shell, as it allowed for the proportions and openings to be tuned from the outset.

images © Nathan Van Egmond

a ‘bird’s nest’ overlooks playful interiors

Designer Teedah Hammer, founder of Quebec-based studio Hammer&Son, organizes the Hanger’s interior so that its full height and curved structure would be expressed. It is designed in section as much as in plan. Upon entry, the kitchen, dining area, and bathroom sit beneath a mezzanine and form a compressed zone that contrasts the full height of the living space. From there, sliding doors lead directly to the patio, extending the interior outward.

The mezzanine is reserved for rest, with a netted area that hovers near the upper windows. ‘Being in the net feels like a bird’s nest of sorts,‘ she notes, ‘you’re perched up in the canopy of the black walnut tree that can be seen from the three upper windows.‘

A louvered guardrail lines the edge and, as the sun shifts, narrow bands of shadow move across the walls and floor. Meanwhile, a vertical opening on the upper level frames a stand of pine trees, which Hammer describes as reading like a piece of ‘living art.’

windows are arranged to balance light privacy and framed views

teedah hammer’s playful material palette

The interior palette leans toward pale wood and white surfaces, allowing daylight to move easily through the space. With openings on both ends of the building, the light remains even and consistent, avoiding sharp contrasts and making the volume feel more expansive.

Flooring is created with reclaimed bowling lanes. This introduces layers of maple and pine underfoot, with darker walnut arrows marking former play zones.

‘It was important that the slabs were installed in sequence so that the cuts and wood segments lined up (so tedious but well worth it),‘ Hammer says, describing the process of the flooring install. ‘The dark walnut arrow zones and merger of pine and maple woods just after it are really cool features.‘

the curved steel shell creates a tall interior volume within a small footprint

Against this backdrop, Teedah Hammer selects objects to bring color and variation. Vintage postmodern furniture, locally made lighting, and small artworks introduce a sense of play.

‘The interior foundation is quite neutral with all the natural materials and white cabinets,‘ She explains. ‘distinctive colour pops and interesting shapes from the vintage post-modern furniture and locally produced art brought that element of fun to the space.‘

A subtle grid appears across different elements, from the patio pavers to interior fixtures and tiles, tying together exterior and interior decisions.

the interior shifts from compressed entry spaces to an open living area

Along the exterior, Teedah Hammer pairs corrugated steel arches with vertical eastern white cedar siding. Over time, the cedar will soften in tone, shifting toward grey and easing the contrast between the industrial roof and the wooded setting. The vertical rhythm of the boards aligns with the valleys of the metal shell and echoes the surrounding tree trunks.

A grid of dark pavers defines the patio beneath a large black walnut tree, while cedar hedges and native plantings build privacy around the edges. Stones uncovered during excavation were repurposed as retaining walls, planted with low-growing succulents that climb across their surfaces during the warmer months.

locally-sourced materials and furnishings shape the character of the space