Dezeen Magazine

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

Expansive deck divides levels of Canadian cliffside house by Alain Carle

Canadian firm Alain Carle Architecte has built a sustainable house in the mountains of Quebec as a retreat from modern conveniences.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

Located in the Laurentian Mountains, La Héronnière sits atop large rocks overlooking a forest. The clients chose the site based on the natural surroundings.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

Alain Carle Architecte placed a horizontal plane onto the steep slope, and created rooms both above and below the plateau.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

On top, the black-clad structure accommodates a den, master suite, guest bedroom and bathroom, with a separate biomass system to the west with a solar-powered roof. Underneath, an open-plan living room and kitchen are divided by a dining table.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

Polished concrete floors, black accessories, and other cool-toned furnishings decorate the interior. To add warmth, ceilings are clad in a blonde wood and a large carpet covers the floors.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

Stairs off the kitchen lead to a below-grade nook with a high-top eating and work table running along a glazed wall. A green house, office, storage unit and audio-recording room are also located in the lower section.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

"The house has been designed to be able to function almost completely autonomously," said studio founder Alain Carle.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

A large part of the home's energy comes from photovoltaic panels. Neighbouring pines protect the house from wind.

La Héronnière by Alain Carle

"Exempt from a magnetic field or wireless devices, the house reflects the owners' desire to occupy a harmonious and 'symbiotic' way where the site is perceived as the 'host'," Carle said.

The architect's Montreal-based studio, founded 15 years ago, is known its for black-coloured residences in rural areas. Examples include a sculptural dwelling embedded into a sloped site, a home comprising a cluster of four volumes and a painted brick house with portions faced in warm cedar.

Photography is by Adrien Williams.

More images and plans

La Héronnière by Alain Carle
Ground floor plan
La Héronnière by Alain Carle
First floor plan
La Héronnière by Alain Carle
Site plan