Share to
Résidence des sables
By : Agence Spatiale
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Residential Building / Private House ≤ 2 000 pi2 (≤ 185 m2) : Gold Certification
In the heart of Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, résidence des sables is located on the outskirts of Lac St-Joseph, more precisely on its eastern shore. It blends into a wooded area covering a residential sector of several hectares, and benefiting from the dense vegetation and steep slopes that characterize the site.
The couple wanted a residence that could accommodate their children without focusing the architectural design solely on the spatial characteristics of the « family nest ». Knowing that they will often be alone or with friends, the idea is to prioritize a diversity of large, open, and interconnected living spaces that encourage exchanges and contribute to a festive atmosphere.
The residence is built away from the boundaries of the site, offering optimal seclusion in the heart of the forest. A long gravel access road winds through the woods, linking the main building to the street. The main residence acts as a focal point around which revolve a detached garage, a fire pit, a yurt, and a pair of hot and cold tubs.
The first floor houses all bedrooms, bathrooms, an office, and a large living room opening onto the west-facing terrace. The entrance vestibule, located in the main axis of the residence, is positioned opposite the staircase leading to the first floor, which is one of the brightest spaces in the residence. The upper level houses the dining room, kitchen, and lounge. This open-plan area is an extension of the central staircase and corridor, both of which open onto the lower level, offering outdoor views and natural light. Outdoor terraces abound, with more than 50% of the floor area surrounded by terraces and walkways. On the upper floor, one terrace is located on the lounge extension and the other extends from the kitchen. Thus, the residence does not focus on a single facade, offering views and access in all directions to maximize the relationship with nature.
The richness of the landscape is such that no single viewpoint could be favored; the residence has no front, back, or side. However, it asserts itself in terms of height, with the various spaces of the residence offering different relationships to the surrounding environment depending on their location within these volumes and therefore their height above ground level.
The house communicates with its surroundings on all sides, thanks to large black-framed openings in the interior, which accentuate the framing effect. The H-shaped layout of the residence gives most rooms direct access to the outside.
Within these interlocking volumes, the rooms are distributed in such a way as to distinguish themselves by their relationship to the exterior. Some have floor-to-ceiling windows, while others feature large patio doors that open the interior space to the outside. The aim is to enable occupants to vary their relationship with their living environment, depending on their mood, the time of day, or the year.
This project favors a quality-of-life approach to enable homeowners to flourish and live happy, healthy lives, where the occupant’s well-being is prioritized as a sustainable environment.
