Sleek chalet keeps things ship-shape
Showstopper is an open-plan third storey that feels like being suspended mid-air
What better place to launch a ship than the side of a mountain that overlooks the mighty St. Lawrence River?
That’s the effect created by a contemporary chalet perched 500 metres up among the pines in the picturesque Charlevoix region of Quebec.
And that’s what happens when the contractor, who has a passion for boats and sailing and a deep interest in architecture, gives his imagination free rein.
The builder is Marc Turgeon, also the owner of the sleek villa erected in 2014.
With its large cantilevered overhang that projects ship’s bow into the sky, and snow-white walls contrasting with red cedar planks inside and out, it’s a cut above traditional chalets dotting the slopes around Le Massif ski resort 15 minutes away.
Turgeon created his vision as a landmark project to showcase the mastery of his company, Construction des Grands Jardins — in business since 2011 — and emerging architectural firm, Bourgeois Lechasseur.
“It was very important to me,” he says of the residence that has received exposure in Wallpaper magazine and Architectural Digest.
Located in the village of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, east of Quebec City, the three-storey home sits on two acres of wooded and rocky terrain.
The property has breathtaking views of river and mountains so, consequently, glass facades abound and the minimalist style inside ensures nothing competes with the panoramic view.
Each floor boasts its own “perfect views,” according to real estate broker Guillaume L’Ecuyer.
“It’s a piece of art,” he says of the towering structure.
The ground floor houses an office, gym, wine cellar and access to the outdoor swimming pool. On the second floor, where an exterior wooden footbridge leads to the front door, there’s a family room, laundry, two bedrooms and a bathroom.
But it’s the open-plan third floor that is the showstopper, says L’Ecuyer of Profusion Realty Inc., a Montreal-based affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate.
With a 270-degree vista and the sensation of being suspended in midair, “it’s really a spectacle,” he says.
Adjacent to the sleek, spare kitchen and dining area, the living room features a free-standing fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows. The space derives its contemporary aesthetic in part from exposed black steel X supports that add industrial character while serving as a foil for the warmth of natural wood lining the ceiling.
It’s this room that draws the eye to another consideration in the interior design: the homeowners’ art collection.
While favourite works are displayed in each room, their “most beautiful painting” — a vibrantly coloured work by Canadian artist Dominic Besner — is given a place of honour on a suspended wall built for that purpose.
Some of the art could be sold with the house, Turgeon concedes, “but it’s going to break my heart.”
On the same floor, the master suite also capitalizes on nature’s beauty with an abundance of glass walls, including three sides of the shower. One of the best vantage points is the free-standing tub, overlooking treetops and ice floating down the St. Lawrence.
“Every morning is different,” Turgeon says about his waking views each day. “I’ve experienced a rainbow, a thunderstorm, fog, sun, birds arriving, a helicopter . . . It’s wonderful.”