On the side of the road overlooking Cap-à-l’Aigle, in Charlevoix, a house – unless it’s a barn! – stands up without shocking the eye. Dressed in wood weathered by the salty air, she is a pretty impostor in a country dress that only reveals her true colors once you sink into her bowels. The space then multiplies. The atmosphere changes. We are somewhere else, in the warm and imposing universe of Arches.
Published at 2:55 am. Updated at 12:00 p.m.
In their free time, some paint, others strum their guitars. Florent Moser drew a house and made it appear in the landscape of La Malbaie. “Do you want to be an artist? » we ask jokingly. The question is simple, we agree, although the main person concerned does not dispute it. “When you get to the middle of your life, you ask yourself whether you made the right decisions and what the reasons were for them. For my part, I have always loved architecture, without having much talent for drawing. I gave myself this house purely for pleasure. »
It should be noted that Florent Moser has not been involved in the construction industry, an area in which he has worked as a property developer and general contractor for more than 15 years. Through his company Demonfort and the prestigious Teracea residential district he co-founded on the heights of Charlevoix, he has worked with some of the finest names in Quebec architecture, including Charles Côté (Mu Architecture) and Maxime Frappier (ACDF). Architecture) and Alain Carle (Atelier Carle).
“Having worked on several large condominium projects such as La Chapelle d’Outremont,” he says, “I was not afraid of the challenges that this house presented on a technical level. » Les Arches remains an ambitious residential-scale project. The house is essentially in the ground, within a concrete shell that required the removal of some of the land and was then used to bury the building. This unusual process is not based on an artist’s imagination, but on the integration of this building into the landscape and its energy efficient performance.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TERACEA
Viewed from behind, the Arches project reveals its scale.
PHOTO CHARLES-WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
A swimming pool was added to the project. Because it is lower to the ground, it remains invisible from the house. Its garden pavilion is a replica of the barn that towers over Les Arches.
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Root underground
With its simple lines reminiscent of old agricultural buildings, the soaring point of Arches is part of Charlevoix’s vernacular architecture. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Immersed in the earth’s shell that insulates it, the lower volume unfolds exponentially and opens onto a spectacular vista brought to life by the movements of the river.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TERACEA
The house Les Arches offers breathtaking views of Saint-Laurent and the tip of Cap-à-l’Aigle.
In order not to block or alter this landscape, which benefits a house higher up, the idea of burying Les Arches was born. “I like that we create surprises, that there is an aspect of discovery and the unexpected. But beyond that, it was about building a house that was as energy-independent as possible. »
I’ve been thinking about ways to create a house that blends discreetly into its surroundings. I decided to draw it myself and design it the way I wanted.
Florent Moser, designer of the Arches
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Florent Moser, designer of Les Arches, a house he built with his partner on the Teracea estate, Alain Rajotte.
Due to its orientation, the main building benefits from heat and light from the southwest. In summer, a structural cap blocks light rays from entering and helps keep the interior cool. The winter sun, which lies further down, penetrates all rooms and is stored in the masonry of the floor. But above all… “The earth acts as an insulating blanket against heat and noise, helping to maintain a constant temperature inside,” argues its designer.
One of the challenges in these conditions was to ensure adequate ventilation of the premises. “Since we only have a section of wall underground, the house functions as a chimney. By opening the windows to this height, we create a draft that ensures good air circulation in the main house,” explains the client.
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The concept of arches is taken up in carpentry.
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The kitchen is defined around a 10-foot-long island, whose roundness mirrors the curve of the countertop.
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The piano was chosen by a friend of the owners, musician Alexandra Stréliski.
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In the middle of the living area, a fireplace creates a warm atmosphere.
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Each suite has its own small private terrace overlooking the river.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
From each bed we look at the horizon. The house has three suites, each equipped with a private bathroom, a wardrobe and a bunk bed that can sleep two children.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TERACEA
The upstairs playroom has a window that controls air circulation throughout the building.
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The bathrooms are calming and bright with warm décor.
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In the evening, when the house is lit from the outside, the effect is fascinating.
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The floor consists of external paving stones cut along their thickness to create a floor that recreates the old-fashioned effect of streets from another era. The sofa was designed by Alain Rajotte, co-founder of Arches, to fit the dimensions of the communal living area.
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The game of illusions
A house underground spontaneously creates images of a cave and therefore a dark and damp environment. In the Arches’ lair, we’re far from that. This space remains bright thanks to its fully glazed wall and 10-foot ceilings.
Surrounded by a field of flowers, the barn appears to have been part of the landscape for a long time. We enter and discover a large anteroom. From here the rural interior of a charming cottage is revealed, which houses a suite and a games room on two different levels. When you enter the staircase, the backbone of the project, a different atmosphere is revealed in the basement.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TERACEA
The arches mark a 7-foot-deep promenade and are reminiscent of the corridors of the outer courtyards of monasteries.
“I am of Swiss origin and have a particular preference for European aesthetics,” reveals Florent Moser. The lower floor reflects this aspect of me and my travels in Europe. When I was designing this house, I was returning from a stay in Bordeaux, in Saint-Émilion, where I visited monasteries. From there came the inspiration for the arch-lined alley, reminiscent of the courtyards of these monuments. »
Brickwork is a predominant element of decor. It bears witness to architecture created by men and women. The stone is warmed by the presence of wood. The same materials were also used on the exterior to blur the boundaries. The kitchen is relatively modest by current standards for the size of the space: a conscious choice.
“For some reason there is a tendency to want to define the value of a house by its kitchen. Finally, we realize that it is not so comfortable to cook in a room that is too large. There’s something warm about being close to each other and having everything at hand,” says the designer.
Some houses intrude on their property: a violation of the architect’s duty to integrate his work into the environment, says Florent Moser. Les Arches proves the opposite. “I am proud of this comfortable and intimate house. The only problem is that cell waves have a hard time penetrating. But ultimately it’s a blessing if you’re there to unwind. It forces relaxation! »
Les Arches is available for short term rental.