Architecture

LA COLOMBIÈRE BY YH2 ARCHITECTS Transformed from a small hut to an ultra-contemporary woodland dwelling, this architectural gem is a masterclass in blending a home into its natural surroundings

Peek inside our first ever Open House. Plus, we chat to Sir Norman Foster and Alison Brooks

This is a house that has grown out of the forest. Located in Quebec, Canada, it was originally a storage space owned by a lumberjack. It was turned into a small cottage by subsequent owners, and in this third incarnation, conceived by YH2 Architects, it stands tall amid bark and leaf like a giant birdhouse. Indeed, its name, La Colombière, means dovecote or pigeon house in French.

To preserve the surrounding landscape, the building was extended upwards instead of outwards, leaving the original footprint of the property exactly the same. To further limit damage to the forest, the new extension was completed without the use of heavy machinery and without any trees being felled. The whole building is clad in dark cedar, and blends chameleon-like into the thicket.

Inside, a wooden walkway cuts through the white space, morphing into a staircase that zigzags between floors. At intervals, the stairs appear held up by a single piece of folded metal. On the top floor, the wooden path becomes a bridge, leading to the diamond-shaped outdoor terrace, which is accessed through glass doors. Perched in the house’s canopy, it is a comfortable, covered observation post in which to sit and take in the views of the glorious greenery. yh2architecture.com

The unique building resembles a giant birdhouse, standing tall amid bark and leaf in a forest outside Quebec, Canada