Hyperoptimization of needs. Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri
16/02/2024.
[Montreal] Canada
metalocus, JORGE MARTINEZ
metalocus, JORGE MARTINEZ
Atelier L'Abri was commissioned to design a new cabin in Mont Tremblant, a municipality in the province of Quebec, located in the Laurentian Mountains, northwest of Montreal, Canada. The place is famous for the practice of different winter sports, which translates into a large number of tourists throughout the year.
The project is presented as a very compact and minimal rental home, in which the functionality and use of spaces stand out, designed for temporary users who approach the natural environment with their pets.
The project is presented as a very compact and minimal rental home, in which the functionality and use of spaces stand out, designed for temporary users who approach the natural environment with their pets.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Ground floor plan. Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri.
Section plan. Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri.
Elevation plan. Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri.
Axonometric plan. Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri.
Kanata Cabin is a housing design for sporadic use designed by Atelier L'Abri, which is organized on a square-shaped floor plan that houses a bedroom that includes a covered porch, an efficient space for the living room, a kitchen, and an outdoor hot tub. One of the most characteristic elements of the building is its distinctive arched door that directly frames the views of the Boreal forest. The shape of the building is completed with a gabled roof.
The roof allows for the generation of high-clearance spaces illuminated with natural light that opens to panoramic views of the surroundings. The architects took the passage of time into account when designing the cabin, which is why they decided to create an envelope using wooden planks that, with wear, would generate a harmonious union between the cabin and the nature of the place.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
The roof allows for the generation of high-clearance spaces illuminated with natural light that opens to panoramic views of the surroundings. The architects took the passage of time into account when designing the cabin, which is why they decided to create an envelope using wooden planks that, with wear, would generate a harmonious union between the cabin and the nature of the place.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Project description by Atelier L'Abri
Born from the client's desire to build a pet-friendly rental cottage in Mont Tremblant, this tiny home marries functionality and minimalism within an ultra-compact building footprint. Affectionately named "La Niche" by its owners, the dwelling's somewhat naive shapes evoke the image of a doghouse in the landscape.
Housing a modest 60 sqm within its square-shaped plan, the single-bedroom cottage includes a screened porch, an efficient living and kitchen space, and an exterior hot tub. Aesthetically, the cabin expresses simplicity through its vernacular gable-shaped roof and distinctive arched doorway that directly frames sights of the Boreal Forest. While spatially small, the cottage's high cathedral ceiling, naturally lit living spaces, and sweeping views of the surroundings lend to its feeling of grandeur. Silver-colored wood cladding, interrupted by vertical baguettes, wraps around the building's minimally adorned exterior. Over time, the wood planks will slowly weather, allowing the house to blend in with the deciduous trees and reinforcing its harmonious relationship with its environment.
Kanata Cabin by Atelier L'Abri. Photograph by Raphaël Thibodeau.
Formally, the building's volume is a nod to the pet-friendly nature of the rental cottage. This humble yet playful gesture continues in the interior details of the house. An integrated small arched nook in the kitchen island cabinetry provides a cozy space for both visitors and their pets to enjoy their getaway.
While realized on an affordable budget, the small structure's exterior walls are constructed using 2x8 studs to achieve performance levels higher than standard constructions. This framing detail enables the use of bio-sourced recycled cellulose fiber as the primary insulation material, reducing the building's carbon footprint. Lastly, the tiny house is built on a structural slab, reducing costs, construction time, materials, concrete volume, and overall carbon footprint. These cost-effective solutions to promote better practices in the built environment are integral to Atelier L'Abri's approach and ongoing commitment to exploring readily available ways to construct more sustainable buildings.
With its hyper-optimized plan, architectural simplicity, and refined interior details, the Kanata Cabin project offers a truly unique experience that seamlessly integrates with the environment and caters to its diverse users. The project is part of the Kanata Tremblant site, a 3,000-acre estate in the heart of nature. Visitors to the cabin can use it as a basecamp to explore the Mont Tremblant region, discover its picturesque landscapes, engage in outdoor activities, and enjoy the vibrant local culture.
More information
Architects
Project team
Charles-Édouard Dorion, Vincent Pasquier, Nicolas Lapierre, Francis Martel-Labrecque.
Collaborators
Engineers.- Structure Chêne et Roseau inc.
Client
Chalet La Niche.
Builder
Hubert Construction.
Area
60 sqm.
Dates
Completion.- 2023.
Location
Amherst, Québec, Canada.
Manufacturers
Wood siding.- Maibec.
Roofing.- Vicwest.
Kitchen.- Ikea, Decotec.
Countertops.- Ceasarstone.
Ceramic.- Centura.
Roofing.- Vicwest.
Kitchen.- Ikea, Decotec.
Countertops.- Ceasarstone.
Ceramic.- Centura.
Photography
Francis M Labrecque, Nicolas Lapierre, Jade Lachapelle, Pia Hocheneder, Vincent Pasquier, Stefania Praf, Charles-Édouard Dorion, Sébastien Labbé, Francis Pelletier, Charles-Olivier Rocray. Atelier lAbri
Atelier L'Abri is an architecture and construction firm based in Montreal. Through its design-build approach, L’Abri delivers turn-key projects combining quality and performance. The workshop specializes in ecological, healthy, and sustainable construction. It advocates for innovative architecture solutions, putting forward wellness and the human and social character of our environments. L’Abri’s designs are resolutely contemporary, unique, and at the human scale.
Team: Francis M Labrecque, Nicolas Lapierre, Jade Lachapelle, Pia Hocheneder, Vincent Pasquier, Stefania Praf, Charles-Édouard Dorion, Sébastien Labbé, Francis Pelletier, Charles-Olivier Rocray.
Team: Francis M Labrecque, Nicolas Lapierre, Jade Lachapelle, Pia Hocheneder, Vincent Pasquier, Stefania Praf, Charles-Édouard Dorion, Sébastien Labbé, Francis Pelletier, Charles-Olivier Rocray.
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