Chalet surrounded by nature
Eco house, Val David, Laurentides
It all started with a call from the client who spoke to me about their vision for the project. They had just purchased a wooded piece of land on which they wanted to build their chalet.
Their priority was to position the house so that it was hidden among the trees and had a view of the stream at the back of the site. They wanted to preserve the existing trail that crosses the lot, if possible, and above all else they wanted to minimize the trees that needed to be cut down. Being a biologist, the client identified all the trees on his land - their species, their diameter and their height.
It was a collaborative process throughout the project as we reviewed all proposals in 2D drawings and 3D models.
Photo of the stream at the back of the site
Site plan
Study of building position and orientation
Option 2
Framed view towards the stream
Option 1
Maximised view of the stream
Option 3
Oblique view of the stream
Photo of the project in construction
Solar study
Simulation of shadows at different times of the day
Another important element for the client was to promote local and traditional craftsmanship. To build the structure of his building he hired the carpenter Didier Girard, who trained in France and followed the course of the Compagnons du Devoir. He designed a beautiful structure in solid wood, made up of posts, crosspieces and rafters.
The next step was a reflection on the relationship between the architectural elements and the structure: how to position the exterior walls, how to insulate the roof. To highlight all the beauty of the wooden structure from the inside, the choice was made to insulate the roof from the outside and to free the exterior walls from the columns, which also made it possible to avoid thermal bridges.
A study of municipal regulations revealed, from the start of the project, the need to make a modification to the planned structure to respect the slope of the roof required by the city. The collaborative approach between the architect and the cabinetmaker had a significant effect on the added value to the project.
View of the 3D model from the approach to the house
View of the 3D model from the stream
View of the 3D model from South-East
View of the 3D model from North-West
The choice of interior materials was guided by the client's desire to have a healthy and ecological home. To see first hand some of the bio-based materials available on the market and learn more about their manufacturing we visited the workshop of the company Heco, a partner of Isofib, which distributes ecological insulation products.
For its choice of innovative materials, the project was published in the journal "House of the 21st century"
Stalk fibres – by-product of hemp farming
Hempcrete panels - handcrafted by Heco
Hemp wool from the Quebec company Nature Fibres
Photo of the installation - detail of structure and wall insulation
Photo of the project in construction
Materials palette
Exterior
Roof
Galvanized steel, traditional standing seam
Walls
Cedar planks
Steps and terraces
Gray limestone
Photo of the project in construction