l'abri's 'la pointe' is a camping shelter designed for a regional park in québec

montréal based practice, atelier l’abri, has designed a minimalist micro-shelter situated in québec’s poisson blanc regional park, canada. with its triangular geometry, ‘la pointe’ offers a reinterpretation of the typical a-frame popularized in north america in the 1950s. the aim behind the project was to create a simple, almost sculptural structure that would provide functional and nature-oriented spaces.

the micro-shelter is designed for the poisson blanc regional park located north of ottawa, canada

image © jack jérôme

the small, off-the-grid building, capable of hosting two to four guests, was built on site by l’abri’s construction team. a trail leads to the micro-shelter located ten minutes by foot from the reception. the interior spaces are minimal and bathed in natural light. a kitchenette and a table converting into an extra bed occupy the first floor. an inclined ladder leads to the bed, suspended in the cathedral ceiling by steel rods.

the cabin can be enjoyed in all four seasons

image © jack jérôme

the focal point of the space is the large bay window that offers uninterrupted views of the forest and reservoir below. leaning on the main volume, the covered terrace becomes the ideal place to continue to enjoy the outdoors when the temperature is less favorable. timeless, the steel roofing of the long roof is a nod to rural buildings from another era. the exterior cladding of natural cedar board and batten will take on a silvery hue over the years.

the cabin was built on site by l’abri’s sister company, l’abri construction

image © ronny lebrun (content content)

the focal point of the space is the large bay window that offers beautiful views of the forest and reservoir below

image © jack jérôme

the wood-burning stove keeps the cabin comfortable, even during the coldest days of winter

image © jack jérôme

the dining table folds and converts to a second bed, the cabin can host up to four guests

image © jack jérôme

a ladder leads to the bed suspended over the dining space

image © jack jérôme

the mezzanine bed is suspended in the ceiling space, overlooking the cabin

image © jack jérôme

the covered terrace is the ideal place to enjoy the outdoors when the temperature is less favorable

image © ronny lebrun (content content)

a ten minute walk from the park’s reception leads to the cabin, hidden in the forest

image © ronny lebrun (content content)

ground floor plan

image © l’abri

axonometric drawing

image © l’abri

project info:

project name: ‘la pointe’

project type: cabin shelter

project location: poisson blanc regional park, québec, canada

project year: 2018

architect: atelier l’abri

design team: francis m labrecque, francis pelletier, jérôme codère

photography (winter): jack jérôme

photography (summer): ronny lebrun (content content)

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom