In Quebec’s mountainous Charlevoix region stand two cabins that mirror each other, and their own surroundings. “Our client wanted them to have mirrored surfaces that would make them disappear,” says Olivier Bourgeois of Bourgeois Lechasseur Architects. “They wanted something that would capture the mood of the forest.”

Bourgeois Lechasseur had worked with the same client once before on a nearby series of glamping units called Domes Charlevoix, which capitalize on fantastic views over lakes and mountains. In contrast, Réflexion, a bookable retreat, invites guests to look inward. “As architects,” says Bourgeois, “Our goal was to make mysterious objects that create a new experience from every angle.”

Each of the 860-square-foot cabins features a rectangular plan with a recessed, angled entry. Inside, the space is split into private and public areas: on one end, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a shower with a large window; on the other, an open-plan living space and a kitchen and dining area.

The floor-to-ceiling window that fronts the living area—this is the same mirror element on the exterior—provides views of the forest, while the concrete floor and pine cladding are a tactile nod to the natural setting. The exterior, like much of the interior, is finished in spruce and painted black, which makes the cabin a discreet form amid the trees.

Mirrored facades are a known hazard to birdlife, an issue the architects were conscientious of while creating the design. Client-driven research led them to a product by Feather Friendly, a company producing marker grids that make windows highly visible to birds without distracting from views. (The company has the support of well-known environmental organizations, the National Audobon Society being one.)

“Our goal was to make mysterious objects that create a new experience from every angle.”
—Olivier Bourgeois, architect

“The mirrored facade is incredible,” attests Bourgeois. “When you walk back into the woods, the cabin really does disappear. The house itself has a cozy atmosphere, where you can relax in nature and disconnect.”

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Bourgeois Lechasseur Architectes / @bourgeoislechasseurarchitectes

Design Team: Olivier Bourgeois, Régis Lechasseur, Alexandre Côté, Valérie Gauthier

General Contractor: Charlevoix Acoustique

Photographer: Adrien Williams / @adrienwilliamsphotos