Contemporary Canadian Farmhouse

WORDS Amelia Brown IMAGES James Brittain

Architectural collaborators Pelletier de Fontenay and François Abbott took inspiration from Hatley, Canada’s agricultural context for this family home. 

Located in the south of Quebec, its landscape is characterised by farmland and rolling hills, farmhouses, barns and sheds, and acres of pastures, orchards and forest. These agricultural elements have been interpreted into the language of the building – wood, metal and stone chosen to weather naturally with the seasons. “The house belongs to its environment,” says François.

Built on a natural plateau in order to maximise views of the countryside and mountain range, the home is composed of three wings: the central communal, master and guest/children’s wings. The orientation of each serves to exploit the site.

The 8 m double-volume wings share a roof height and the steeply pitched gables so typical of the area. The three volumes are linked and unified by this galvanised steel roof, as well as the horizontal concrete foundation and timber lattice façade that wraps around the entire house.

The two smaller wings feature private mezzanines above the bedrooms warmed with wooden cladding. Skylights in every double-height space, large picture windows that frame selected views of the landscape, and sliding doors flood the minimalist interiors with light.

The masterful layout of the house means its shape changes depending on the angle it’s viewed from. Read more here. 

(h/t) v2com