Archetech - Issue 20 [Page 44]
The staircase and corridor leading to the owner’s private suite on
the top level are located behind this central block and have a view
on the inferior levels. Inside the cube and accessible only from the
bedroom is a hidden bathroom designed with simple, clean lines.
Though without a door, intimacy is preserved by the configuration
of walls leading to the bathroom. Inside the bathroom, floor and
walls are covered in a pearl white glass mosaic and it is modestly
furnished with two white, minimalist blocks, bathtub and vanity.
In order to accentuate the furniture’s monolithic appearance,
doors with a smooth matte finish were placed on either side
to avoid creating divisions at the front while a Corian sink was
molded into the counter above. A thin setback kick space creates
the impression that it isn’t attached to the floor while giving the
bathroom a sense of space and lightness.
The bedroom is located at the very back and opens partially to
the living spaces below. In order to limit visibility from the outside
into this room, windows were voluntarily limited in height and
therefore create long strips of light. At the rear, the room extends
towards the woods by way of a loggia. From here the surrounding
natural environment can be viewed without any obstacles thanks
to the transparency of the glass railing barrier.
The exterior is covered in natural eastern cedar siding that will
fade over time to eventually further bear a resemblance to
the bark of trees in the surrounding woods. Simple openings
surrounded by black frames serve to punctuate the sheer volume
of the house. The former garage has been replaced with a covered
parking space that’s open on either end, and thus gives the
impression that it was emptied. This openness creates a sense of
transparency that, like all large openings, provides the space for
nature to reclaim its place.
Photo credit: Maxime Brouillet
www.lashedarchitecture.com