A clients' sloped site was no match for the team at Montreal–based Paul Bernier Architecte, who turned the challenging topography into an inspiration for a ski chalet in the Québécois town of Sutton.

The clients, a couple with two children, were captivated by the architects’ contemporary designs and wanted a similarly styled structure to serve as their weekend retreat for ski trips.

“The place had to be robust and practical,” note the architects. “It had to take advantage of the views of the site, and had to be clean and contemporary while keeping the spirit of the ski chalet.”

Taking cues from the densely wooded surroundings, Paul Bernier Architecte cladded the 2,400-square-foot dwelling—officially known as the Cottage of Sutton—in black-painted rough sawn cedar, and designed it to be parallel to the slope.

The lower half of the two-story retreat is built into the steep slope; the larger upper volume is crowned with a green roof that is sloped at an angle opposite to that of the site’s topography.

“The project simply draws itself through the landscape as a black stroke hurtling down the slope. This axis, heavily marked by the shape of the house, points toward the south as well as Mount Sutton—a view which we wanted to prioritize.”

To emphasize mountain views, the architects have added full-height glazed windows and doors to the south side of the home where the great room opens up to a covered outdoor patio.

A secondary living room on the basement level is also located on the south side of the home, and opens up to a small deck.

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The upper floor houses the master bedroom and an open-plan great room, while two additional bedrooms and a family room can be found on the floor below.

To see more projects by Paul Bernier Architecte, click here.

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Paul Bernier Architecte

Builder/General Contractor: Pierre Boivin Construction

Structural Engineer: Alain Mousseau, Calculatec