Villa Vingt, blending
Nature and Modernity

A living space with distinctive atmospheres tied to its functional design

Via v2com

December 10, 2024

Villa Vingt commands attention with its striking presence amidst the surrounding landscape. The architecture, featuring a dynamic interplay of volumes and a horizontal façade, calls to mind certain Californian villas. Nestled on a sloping site near the Le Relais ski resort, it offers stunning views of the Laurentian hills and the surrounding residential area and the residential neighbourhood of Lac-Beauport.

This project was designed on the footprint of the owners’ former house foundation, allowing certain acquired rights to be preserved. Having spent several years on this site, the owners are well-acquainted with its unique assets and features.

The project seamlessly blends with the site’s dramatic topography. Serving as a foundation, the first level anchors itself to the terrain while opening expansively northward. Above the concrete ground floor, the upper level seems to hover, lending an air of lightness to the structure. Cantilevered living spaces offer carefully framed views of the surrounding landscape. Large windows provide residents with sweeping mountain vistas, while extended roof overhangs shelter the outdoor terraces, creating a harmonious transition between interior and exterior spaces.

The access road, situated below, preserves the privacy of the living spaces while allowing light to flood in through generous windows. As one approaches the building, the beauty of the white cedar ceiling adorning the upper floor becomes apparent. This warm material extends under the roofs, creating a seamless flow between the interior and exterior. The interplay of volumes and materials highlights the project’s entrance.

The sloped roof integrates harmoniously with the built environment. The volume’s geometry and the placement of openings create surprising atmospheres that complement the interior functions. The dining room skylight offers an elegant view of the treetops while bathing the cedar slats in indirect light. The central concrete wall lends verticality to the project, with a raw treatment that reveals the formwork marks. The adjacent staircase is enriched by the duality of authentic materials surrounding it, blending concrete and steel.

Villa Vingt commands attention with its striking presence amidst the surrounding landscape. The architecture, featuring a dynamic interplay of volumes and a horizontal façade, calls to mind certain Californian villas.

About Bourgeois/Lechasseur architectes

Driven by the desire to design dynamic projects that serve users, Bourgeois/Lechasseur architectes strive to develop contemporary, realistic, and sensitive architecture inspired by striking elements of the landscape. Each project is guided by a subtle approach to form, where exploration and a sequence of discoveries play an essential role, regardless of the project’s scope. The idea is not to reveal everything at once, allowing the architecture to offer multiple levels of interpretation. The element of surprise is fundamental to understanding a project.

The firm is characterized by dualities such as tradition and modernity, boldness and restraint, distinction and integration, along with influences from both urban and maritime contexts. This principle is evident in their diverse experiences and their work spanning from Quebec City to the Magdalen Islands. This design process aims to optimize perspectives, maximize natural light, provide protection from prevailing winds, and create a succession of atmospheres. The use of simple and authentic materials allows for varied ambiances and maximizes their impact.

Bourgeois/Lechasseur architectes received an Award of Excellence in Architecture from the Ordre des architectes du Québec for their project, La Place des gens de mer, located in Cap-aux-Meules in the Magdalen Islands. They also won the architectural competition for the Est-Nord-Est Artists’ Residence in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. These accolades reflect the firm’s dedication to architectural excellence and its positive influence on Quebec’s built environment.

Images: Adrien Williams

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