This residence was designed to enable a sister and brother to meet as a family on special occasions and to unwind in contact with nature. This project sprouted along the shores of a lake up in the Laurentians in a wooded area with a significantly consistent slope. This elevation, which offers a bird’s eye view of the lake, is the backbone for the development of this architectural concept—grasping hold of the land through the blending of two areas intersecting one another. The parcelling out of its shapes made its integration with the landscape possible. Its establishment forms part of a circuit throughout a site where paths extend internally, creating views, such as observation posts towards the surrounding landscape.
The upper area, which takes on the shape of a distinctive gabled-roof house, looks out to the lake through a cantilever, while the lower area anchors to the slope. Both areas are sliced at their intersections to give way to vertical circulation and to the entrance hall below. This pivot space organizes the entire internal circulation area and enables the core of the building to connect with the outside.
The lower floor has a more contemporary shape with its flat roofs and very large openings. The living space, which is arranged on two levels, takes advantage of plunging views onto the lake. On one end, a large screen shelter completes the lower area. A wide terrace is arranged on the roof at the other end.
From the outside, sober colours and raw materials allow the project to assert itself in full nuance, as if it had emerged from the ground, respectful of its environment. The black wood exterior finish unifies the composition under a zinc roof. Observed from the lake, it gives the impression of a haven. The light wooden sections that illuminate the dark structure as a whole may resemble the sun’s rays piercing through the clouds after a storm.
Photo credit: Steve Montpetit
Designed by: MJ DESIGN and atelier BOOM-TOWN
Technical Info
Completion Year: 2017
Area: 3600 sq. ft. with garage and screen porch
Architect: atelier BOOM-TOWN
Interior Design: MJ DESIGN and atelier BOOM-TOWN
Structural engineer: GENIEX
General contractor: BOIS & NATURE CONSTRUCTION inc.
Photographer: STEVE MONTPETIT
Doors and windows: FABELTA
Cabinet: Bianchi
Plumbing: Batimat
Countertop and marble: Ciot
Staircase: Escalier Grenier
Press distribution service: v2com
Lighting and furniture: Avant-Scène, Ligne Roset, Au Courant, Maison Corbeil
About atelier BOOM-TOWN
Historically, the Boomtown house is associated with the “mushroom” towns created near industrial complexes and mines in the years 1890–1920. It is easily recognized by its simple facade and square shape. Its roof is flat or nearly flat, an innovation for the time. The popularity of the Boomtown house was mainly due to increased space and low construction costs.
A century later, l’atelier Boomtown proposes a rereading of human scale buildings architecture based on the original principles of the Boomtown house: Simplicity and efficiency. Working with space, light and matter, l’atelier Boomtown designs contemporary houses, adapted to modern living.
