Dezeen Magazine

Atelier Pierre Thibault's Le Grand Plateau house is raised on stilts above a forest floor

Canadian architecture office Atelier Pierre Thibault has completed a lakeside house in a forest near Quebec, which is raised above its hillside site on thin metal stilts (+ slideshow).

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

The Le Grand Plateau house was designed by Quebec studio Atelier Pierre Thibault as a holiday home for a retired couple.

It is located on a promontory clearing, 60 metres above Lake Heron in the Laurentides region.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

The picturesque site offers views out across the tops of the surrounding spruce trees. This encouraged the architects to create a terrace that covers the entire roof and gives the project its name – Le Grand Plateau.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

"The main thing we wanted to achieve was the illusion of a grand plateau that would seem to be floating on a very steep hillside," the architects told Dezeen.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

"It was very important to ensure that the house would be extremely well integrated as well as have the best view possible of the lake," he said.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

A sloping bridge connects the high point of the site with the decked roof terrace, which is surrounded by a white-painted steel balustrade. In the centre of the roof, a glass-walled lounge area provides a shaded vantage point.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

When viewed from the lake, the main body of the house is partly concealed by the trees and is raised above the ground on slender columns to give the impression that it is floating within the forest canopy.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

A timber walkway accessed from street level leads along the edge of the property to a covered porch. This space can be used for outdoor cooking and dining and features its own wood-burning stove.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

The entrance leads into an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area with full-height windows framing vistas of the trees and lake beyond.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

An en suite bedroom and two smaller bedrooms are located at the opposite end of the building facing the hillside. Narrow horizontal windows offer views out to the surrounding forest.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

Wood used for ceilings and floors throughout the interior help to create a connection with the natural environment outside and provide consistency with the building's exterior cladding.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault

Photography is by Alain Laforest.

Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault
Axonometric diagram – click for larger image
Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault
Floor plan – click for larger image
Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault
Roof plan – click for larger image
Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault
Section – click for larger image
Le Grand Plateau by Atelier Pierre Thibault
Elevation – click for larger image