Distinctions

Discipline : Interior Design

Categories : Hospitality — Accommodation, Restaurant & Bar / Accommodation: Hotel & Resort : Silver certification

Categories : Special Awards / Heritage Conservation & Adaptive Reuse : Gold certification

The Château Cran Chaud is a revitalization project of an old heritage presbytery dating back to 1918 located in Chicoutimi. More than a renovation, the project aims to reinterpret a place full of history into an experiential boutique hotel where modern comfort coexists with the original soul of the building. From the outset, a priority was established, to preserve the essence of the place. The volumes, structure, and proportions have been respected to maintain the architectural identity of the building while integrating assured contemporary interventions. The goal was not to erase the past but to highlight it through a new perspective.

The concept is inspired by an enveloping, rich, and slightly theatrical universe. The project highlights several original elements carefully preserved and integrated into the design: stained glass, woodwork, and period photographs that tell the story of the place. The original floor, with its creaks, has been deliberately preserved as a living trace of the past. Old doors have been salvaged and repositioned to become headboards, transforming heritage elements into central pieces of the concept.

The design is built around contrasts: deep and enveloping tones, rich textures, noble materials, combined with more contemporary elements. Each space is thought of as an immersive experience where the ambiance evolves while maintaining a strong coherence. Nothing has been left to chance. Every detail has been considered to create a distinctive signature.

The rooms are designed as distinct micro-universes, each with its own identity. The furniture, lighting, and decorative elements contribute to a carefully staged setting where comfort meets a strong artistic direction. The project deliberately moves away from traditional hotel standards to offer a memorable and immersive experience. Château Cran Chaud aims to rejuvenate a heritage building by reconnecting it to its environment and its community.

Blending modern comfort with heritage, the project embraces an ambitious vision: to become a Saguenay interpretation of a great classic hotel. A sort of small-scale revisited Château Frontenac where character, experience, and emotion prevail!

Château Cran Chaud thus embodies a new way of inhabiting heritage. Faithful to its history but resolutely turned towards the future!

Samuel Snow

The project in images