At 888 square feet, La Binocle has a small footprint that minimizes its impact upon the land. Rather than alter the site’s existing topography, Montreal–based Naturehumaine built the cabin as close as possible to the cliff, and the interiors project outwards to take in stunning views. The sloping roofs on the two volumes call to mind the profile of a bird gliding over the cliff.

Naturehumaine’s founder Stéphane Rasselet says that the cabin's location on Crowhill Road had some influence on the design. “We came up with the idea of two crows perched on the hill and observing the landscape. This inspired the black, burned wood exterior cladding that’s reminiscent of the jet black and glowing plumage of crows,” says Rasselet.

The volume with the bedrooms is angled slightly towards the east, with views towards the horizon behind the mountain. The volume with the common areas is oriented more towards the west, with a terrace poised to take in the best sunset views.

“What interested us the most was to try to find a concept that would be completely in symbiosis with the environment, the cabin being simply a place to enjoy nature. With deliberately modest dimensions, we try to show that architecture, whatever its dimensions, may be oneiric, and that the concept of a small chalet may seem to be close to the scale of an object that would seem to have simply been dropped there,” says Rasselet.

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Naturehumaine / @_naturehumaine

Builder: Mille Pieds Carrés

Structural Engineer: Geniex

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La Binocle