ORFORD, Quebec — Thellend Fortin Architectes designed a single-family home that capitalizes on the mountainous terrain dominated by maple and fir trees in the heart of the Eastern Townships next to Parc National du Mont-Orford.

The dwelling’s “warm and chic” atmosphere desired by the owners intersects with a functional approach to contemporary architecture. The result is double-sloped roofs, wood cladding and metal cladding assimilated to zinc. The elementary geometry of the project is animated by a play of solids and voids, projections and recesses, alternating more protected and more open areas. The dominant verticality is emphasized by the rhythm of the wooden slats and facade openings, and counterbalanced by a series of horizontal gestures - notably the projection of the canopies and perimeter gallery.

Within the residence, the garden level, first floor, and top floor follow one another, in analogy with the tripartite composition of the woodlands.

•    The garden level anchors the house in the ground like the roots of a tree. It welcomes its occupants into a confined space, where rooms are partitioned, one by one.
•    The first floor is the most free and uncluttered. Here, living spaces unfold between pieces of furniture, evoking the idea of a walk in the woods. 
•    The top floor, the most private, nestles in the canopy. The bedrooms are served by a mezzanine overlooking the dining room.

A sculptural metal staircase with wood treads links the three floors in a single fluid movement, evoking that of a folded sheet of paper. The diagonal it draws, unique within the project, makes it a highlight of the user's spatial experience.

Specific finishes subtly support the contrast between interior and exterior using a summary palette of materials. On the exterior, metal panels, wood cladding, and concrete slabs present a raw appearance and matte finish. Inside, reflective surfaces such as waxed concrete, varnished joinery, polished marble, and glass walls maximize natural light. Sober, light hues, from white to shades of gray, combine with the natural warmth of oak floors, ceilings, and window frames.

The majority of furnishings, such as worktops and storage units, are integrated into the architectural project, with a constant concern for coherence and simplicity. Technical elements such as heating and lighting are concealed behind wall coverings and false ceilings, the former combined with an underfloor heating system.

Technical sheet
Project name: The Orford House
Location: Orford (Québec) Canada
Architect: Thellend Fortin Architectes
Project manager: Lisa-Marie Fortin & Louis Thellend
Interior design: Lisa-Marie Fortin & Louis Thellend
Furniture and decoration: Ingrid Savage Design
Kitchen: Cuisine Steam 
Structural engineer: Paul-Henry Boutros, Poincaré Experts-Conseils
Landscape architect: Martine Brisson, MYTO, design d’espaces vivants
Lighting: Lumigroup