bourgeois / lechasseur architects designs striking asymmetrical cabin A in canada

québec city-based architecture firm bourgeois / lechasseur architects has opened the doors to cabin A, a triangular-shaped cabin overlooking the st. lawrence river. designed with a dramatic, asymmetrical shape, one length of the cabin is anchored to the ground, while the other hovers as an open space.

images courtesy of the architects

bourgeois lechasseur architects were inspired by the international code of signals (ICS) — long used in nautical communications — to design the cabin. the alfa signal determined the building’s overall geometry and references to naval architecture were introduced throughout.

cabin a’s triangulated roof is a reminder of sails facing the wind whereas a large wood terrace evokes the upper deck of a ship with stunning views of the river. meanwhile, the use of wood paneling on the walls and ceiling of the shared living area further evokes the upper deck of a ship.

a staircase off the entrance door leads to the partially buried lower level where three bedrooms and an open dorm for children provide accommodation. a central playroom gives access to a protected spa area, located directly under the ground floor’s deck. a ladder that leads to a children’s play space tucked into the attic.

the cabin accommodates up to 12 people, complete with kitchen facilities a sitting area and a dining space, which extends outside. the main entrance is located under one the roof’s sloping wings, the left leg of the letter ‘A’. the shared living space is a long viewing gallery providing 180-degree views of the st. lawrence river.

cabin a is the second tourist-oriented project designed by bourgeois / lechasseur for the region. inaugurated in 2018, dômes charlevoix was their first attempt at redefining tourist accommodation. it sparked widespread interest on their work and on their ability to address traditional commissions in an innovative way.

project data

location: petite-rivière-saint-françois, charlevoix, québec
client: cabines st-laurent
architects: bourgeois / lechasseur architectes
graphic artists: criterium
design team: olivier bourgeois, régis lechasseur, alexandre côte, valérie gauthier, isabelle auclair, maxime rousseau
general contractor: construction urbanext
photographer: maxime brouillet