House built in the forest on rock and pillars

It's not a wooden house, but it's clad in wood and blends in very well with the landscape. With a modern and minimalist look, raised three metres off the ground, the house is an interesting sight in the woods. The large glazed spaces allow a strong connection to the outdoors, with the inhabitants effectively living in the middle of nature.

The house is located in the Eastern Townships, a vacation area 100 km from Montreal, Canada. It was designed by the architecture studio Natalie Dionne Architecture for a couple who have long dreamed of a home in the middle of nature. The house was completed in the fall of 2020, perfect for the owners to work from home while being in the heart of the forest.

Choosing the place - a challenge

The owners own more than one hectare of rocky forest land in the area with maple trees and mesteceni. Lovers of nature and wood, they wanted a house that would blend in as well as possible and have a minimal impact on the environment. Finding the perfect location was a real challenge. The architects and owners travelled far and wide to find a place surrounded by trees yet still bright. On rugged terrain with steep, rocky slopes, they didn't have much choice.

And yet. The presence of a cliff near a steep, precipitous area gave them the idea of building a suspended house, like a tree house. Here they had trees and light, just as they wanted, and minimal damage to the environment. So they built the house leaning against the rock and could enjoy a spectacular view of the whole area. Building mostly above ground minimised the impact on the ground, protecting the natural architecture of the area.

A simple, linear house, a string of cubes

The building is a linear construction, a succession of cubes stretching 275 m² from north to south. To the north is a 60 m² terrace which can be reached from the inside or by the external staircase that climbs up from the 'supporting' rock of the house. It has openings on 3 sides, protected by transparent glass panels, which gives a very good view of both the ravine and the forest. Not all of the terrace is covered, the uncovered area is perfect for sunbathing on sunny days.

The terrace continues inside with the kitchen, dining area and living room. The spaces follow each other naturally, the last being the master bedroom at the south end of the building and separated from the living room by the main staircase from the ground floor. The living room is glazed on both sides being bright and connected with nature, and on the east side, which opens onto a ravine, you can see the treetops as if the house were floating above the forest. On both sides niches emerge from the facade that extend the space dedicated to the kitchen, dining area and bathroom.

From the living room, go down the main staircase. On the ground floor is the concrete-built guest bedroom. It is very generous with bunk beds and can accommodate up to ten people.

Materials, finishes, colours

Wood is everywhere, connecting with nature. Inside, the right ceiling made of industrialised spruce wood is left exposed and in its natural colour. Thick beams run the length of the house. The furniture is made of solid maple wood or birch plywood. So are the steps and walkway, also made of maple. The exterior of the house is clad in artificially aged cedar. The gray-beige color camouflages the house well, like a continuation of the rock it rests against. The roof is straight, patio-style and is covered in moss.

Inside, the beige yellow of the wood combines harmoniously with the grey of the polished concrete floor and the white of the walls to create a bright and light ensemble, sometimes contrasting with the dark green of the forest. The generous windows have aluminium frames, blending into the same colour scheme. Decorations and furnishings, like the colour palette, are kept to a minimum. It is a modern ensemble that emphasises integration with nature without compromising on colour harmony and comfort.

The house, called Maison Foret I (Forest House I),is the first in a series of similarly themed homes currently being developed by the team at Natalie Dionne Architecture. The Forest Home series reflects the studio's desire to promote the environmentally friendly use of renewable materials.

source: arhilovers.com

Photographers: Raphaël Thibodeau