Farm buildings and MC Escher drawings helped inform the design of this sprawling retreat by Canadian studio Tux Creative and architect Guillaume Kukucka.
The Abercorn Chalet is tucked within a valley in the Eastern Townships, a scenic region in southeastern Quebec. The holiday home sits on a wooded site with a pond and a swimming pool.
The project was designed by interdisciplinary studio Tux Creative in collaboration with architect Guillaume Kukucka – both based in Montreal. The goal was to create a dwelling with open spaces, cosy nooks and an embrace of the natural setting. The designers took cues from several sources, including traditional farms, suspense novels and drawings by Dutch artist MC Escher.
The house comprises interconnected forms that stretch across a sloped site. The sprawling building has various cuts and extrusions, along with a mix of sloped and flat roofs – resulting in a highly irregular composition. On both ends of the home, spacious decks are lifted above the ground by metal columns.
For exterior walls, the team used contrasting materials – black metal and light-toned wood. “Opposites are freely expressed in the choice of raw, industrial materials that contrast with the playful spirit of the architecture’s volumes,” said a project description.
The industrial aesthetic continues indoors. Smooth concrete flooring is paired with different types of wall treatments, ranging from raw concrete to plywood panels and corrugated metal.
In one public area, the team used wooden shingles, lending a whimsical touch to the pared-down space.
“The interior use of traditional exterior cladding – like corrugated or profiled sheet metal painted black or gold – disrupts reference points and induces a sensation of being outside,” the team said. “You get the same effect when camping, where you feel as though you are part of nature and yet are protected.”
Throughout the dwelling, large windows usher in natural light while also providing views of the surrounding landscape and other parts of the home. Additional illumination is provided by carefully positioned skylights.
“I analysed the trajectory of the sun, and I also modelled its reflections on the sheet-metal walls,” said Laurent Guez, a partner at Tux Creative. “As the hours go by, the light creates interesting shadows and animations.”
A fluid layout provides moments of suspense and discovery. Door heights vary – one bedroom door rises six feet (1.8 metres), while another rises 11 feet (3.4 metres).
Contemporary decor is incorporated throughout the dwelling, with vintage pieces used in select areas. While the home has a cohesive appearance, each room is intended to have a distinct personality.
“I wanted to create a spacious and discreet living space where every piece affirms its character and encourages an interconnection, strong and intuitive,” said Guez.
Quebec’s Eastern Townships region is a popular location for holiday homes. Other examples include a pointy black cabin by Jean Verville, a bright white home by MU Architecture, and a cabin by Naturehumaine that appears to be sliding over a cliff.
Photography is by Maxime Brouillet.
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