In Quebec, Ghoche Architecte Designs a Subtle, Stylish Home for an Unexpected Location
With a rare red sand beach at their disposal, the architects took their cues from seaside cottages.
A red sand beach might not be high on the list of features you’d expect to find in rural Quebec, but that is what the site for this home designed by Ghoche Architecte offered. It sits on the shore of Lac Archambault in the village of Saint-Donat, which is flanked by a second large lake, Ouareau, on the other side. The surrounding Lanaudière area is popular year-round for skiing, hiking, and water sports.
The beach provided the initial inspiration for the home, a “seaside” cottage that would take full advantage of the unobstructed view of the lake. From the outside, a striking feature is that the entire house is clad in a single material, locally sourced white-stained wood panels that contrast with the light-brown oak window frames. More than just a stylistic choice, the white wood reflects light from the house, compensating for the lack of shade to provide a cooling element in the summer.
The structure itself is simple, with flat-roofed cubes. Large windows give full access to the panoramic lake views while being simultaneously positioned to allow maximum natural sunlight into the living areas. Surrounding the house, the landscaping was designed with a focus on native plant species.
Indoors, the exterior material palette was retained to make the transition more seamless between indoors and out. The ceilings, furniture, and stairs are the same shade as the window frames, and white walls again highlight the simple but striking wooden elements. The layout is modern and open plan, with unimpeded transitions between areas allowing the natural light to flow through the entire space.
To make further use of the lakeside location, a large verandah provides a large outdoor area for eating or simply relaxing and looking out at the water. All of this leads down to that striking red sand beach, where it is easy to imagine whiling away many a summer day.
