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Le Grand Bercail

By : L. McComber – architecture vivante

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition

Discipline : Architecture

Categories : Residential Building / Cottage & Country House : Bronze Certification

November 2021. Architects visit the luxurious rental homes on this rocky cape above La Malbaie in Charlevoix. Overhangs, glass walls, suspended terraces, garden roofs and built-in residences: the architect’s homes are bursting with creativity. How do you build a rental villa that blends in naturally with Charlevoix’s imposing, craggy landscapes? How do you imagine a warm, family-friendly environment while limiting your carbon footprint?

With its large gallery opening onto the River and its majestic tin roof, the Grand Bercail verges on timelessness. A Quebec home for the new age, it is as comforting as it is astonishing. Built to take advantage of the sun’s rays in winter and multiply views in all seasons, it uses its large roof overhangs to reduce overheating during heatwaves. Its hyper-insulated walls, roof and glazing (40% more than required) and excellent airtightness (0.35 CAH) make it a house that stays cool in summer and warm in winter. The delicacy of its setting between trees and its palette inspired by boreal tones give the impression that it has always existed.

Designed to accommodate several families, the space is organized around a festive heart forming a double height open onto the living room and the landscape. At the far end, the kitchen offers an all-round view, as well as the usual conveniences. The living room is nestled between a warm clay brick wall on the bedroom side and a glazed wooden partition on the dining room side. Secluded to better celebrate, seated guests enjoy the double view of La Malbaie to the right and the River in front. The walkway leads to the veranda, the gallery and the spa, then to the blue depths of the horizon.

The bedrooms grouped in two parent/child clusters are in a separate wing near the entrance. Served by a sumptuous Douglas fir staircase flanked by a carved wooden handrail, the mezzanine has been imagined as yet another den for fun. It provides access to a hidden attic bedroom-study, a retreat from time. In the center of the gable wall, an impressive eight-foot-diameter oculus filters the cold light of the River and bathes much of the interior. Accessible from an enclosed staircase near the entrance, the garden level offers a paradise for the youngest with its small dormitory and play area opening onto the woodland.

Both in terms of construction techniques and the quality of its finishes, the house has benefited from the expertise of passionate local craftsmen: carpenters, joiners, tinsmiths, cabinetmakers, tilers and seamstresses have all contributed to the elegance of this project. The woodwork, omnipresent both inside and out, lends a natural, authentic warmth to the whole. Despite its recent construction, the house gives the impression of having always been part of this magnificent part of the country. Enjoy your stay at Grand Bercail de Charlevoix!

Collaboration

General Contractor : Demonfort

General Contractor : Art évolution inc.

Engineering : Poincaré

Other : Expertise Bernard Miller

Manufacturer - Distributor : Maibec

Manufacturer - Distributor : Olympia Tile

Manufacturer - Distributor : Neufenster

Manufacturer - Distributor : Granite au sommet

Lighting : Luminaires Authentik

Lighting : Snoc

Manufacturer - Distributor : Entrepôt du Cèdre