The project’s design comes from a global vision: A Scandinavian inspiration, a cottage with clean lines, a modern barn. The materials in their raw appearance influenced the general concept, as well as pale tones and natural textures such as wood, concrete, and the color white.
The black metal cladding also creates an impressive contrast that highlights the smooth matte finish of the steel and the natural grain of the Eastern white cedar. Moreover, as the entrance to the site is significantly higher than the house floor level, the choice of installing the same black metal cladding on the roof became clear to provide a neat signage at first glance.
Throughout the design, the site was quickly revealed as a powerful element of the project. By carefully choosing the location and size of each window, external views were highlighted, and the atmosphere created by natural light can be appreciated throughout the whole day. As for the position of the large sliding door, it was “ pushed “ toward the main interior open space to subtly separate the internal functions while creating an outside protected space. The attention to these details All these intentions ultimately aim to capture the essence of this project: the surrounding nature and wildlife.
Regarding the program, the objective to offer a total of fourteen sleeping places and three bathrooms was respected, despite the constraints of the floor area, thus requiring intelligent and vigilant drafting work. The interior spaces have been designed to simplify circulation while providing a sense of grandeur. The mezzanine also offers a lot of flexibility in terms of functions: it is a master bedroom, a playroom for kids, a reading corner, a quiet place to nurse a young baby, etc. A fourth bathroom could even be integrated, in a later phase. The Villa Boréale is a touristic housing project that can adapt over time, if the clients’ needs were to change. That wise approach of flexibility represents a cornerstone of the practice of Cargo Architecture. The architect also designed the project keeping in mind the business aspect of the operation, since the clients were looking to maximize the return on their investment via renting (Airbnb, villaboreale.com, and other websites).
Finally, the house can be described as a home in harmony with the natural context of the boreal forest, and a clear symbol of a contemporary vision of the Quebec cottage: light, nature, purity, and simplicity.
