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Spahaus: A Modern House Integrated Into the Natural Environment

08.03.15 | By
Spahaus: A Modern House Integrated Into the Natural Environment

Located about 90 minutes north of Montreal, Spahaus was built by YH2 on the banks of Lac Supérieur (Lake Superior) on a mountain that once housed a religious congregation. In its place, an innovative new approach is being built to help integrate modern architecture into a natural environment. Developers hired YH2 to design the new series of residences to be situated on the northern side of the Mont-Tremblant ski resort in hopes of attracting a new generation of design loving homeowners. Instead of traditional log-style cabins or cottages, they’ve taken a different approach with the first design, name Spahaus, which marries wood and concrete, and boasts amazing panoramic views of its lush location.

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Their goal was to preserve the natural surroundings, like the original trees, river, and trails, while designing thoughtful homes with a focus on design. The YH2 team worked with local Fraternité developers to create a series of properties in this location that were both flexible and maintenance-free. The Spahaus units, 21 in total, aim to blend into the rolling lines of the mountainous terrain, while also being built such that they’re out of sight of the other units.

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The ground floor is constructed out of concrete and is topped off with a wooden “playhouse”, marrying the two materials perfectly together. Large windows on the front provide the dreamy views.

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Inside, they continue the two materials by keeping the floors a polished concrete and covering the walls in horizontal laid wooden boards. The palette is also kept minimal with only white and a steely grey being used.

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3D view

3D view

Photos by Julien Perron-Gagné, courtesy of v2com.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.