While the A-Frame represents one of the most typical structural forms found in Canada’s mountains and woodlands, Jean Verville’s interpretation of the vernacular archetype tucked away on a site in Quebec’s Cantons de l’Est (Eastern Townships) is far from typical.
Photo by Maxime Brouillet
The FA House employs a geometric approach with striking effect to a form that’s particularly practical for sites with significant snowfall. Despite occupying a relatively large volume, corrugated cladding in all black – the same on both roof and walls – allows the home to recede into its site.
Photo by Maxime Brouillet
One of the most distinctive aspects of the home’s exterior is the cantilevering of the second floor, which provides a covered terrace off of the main living space. The concrete steps leading into this space follow the slope of the site, engendering the sense that the surroundings permeate the interior spaces (no doubt helped by ample windows).
Photo by Maxime Brouillet
Inside, a mix of matte white and plywood surfaces accentuate the angular nature of the space while providing the warmth of more traditional paneling with a fresh and modern feel. The otherwise muted interior is punctuated by a dramatic all-red (walls, floors, ceilings, everything) treatment of a mudroom space on the main floor, delineating this area without separating or closing it off from the rest of the open-concept living area.
Photo by Maxime Brouillet
A second floor bathroom takes full advantage of the home’s remote location with a floor to ceiling window next to a freestanding tub. While a soak in the treetops looks pretty tempting, offering a very Canadian kind of indulgence, the minimalist material treatment of the rest of the space – more simple wood walls and the choice of a black laundry tub in lieu of a more polished vanity option, keeps the space feeling unfussy and bush-appropriate.
Photo by Maxime Brouillet
Seemingly minor choices like these allow other elements of the home to allude to a very urban kind of modernity, like the somewhat Meisian promenade space, to feel completely context-appropriate.
Want to see more like this? Browse the rest of Jean Verville’s portfolio
Would you also like to read more about similar stories like this one on canadianrealestatehousingandhome.ca? Then, take a look at Uufie’s take on interjecting cottage vernacular in a contemporary building
…Or if it’s the geometric quality of the FA House that appeals to you, L’Ecran by Alain Carle provides a great example of a structure that unfolds across its site.
This article was researched and written by Miranda Corcoran, a designer and creative strategist based in Toronto who began writing for Houseporn while studying Industrial Design at OCAD University.
