Located right next to the Val Saint-Côme ski resort, Oxygen Saint-Côme wants to become the most important LEED chalet project in North America
For more than two and a half years, François Gagnon patiently negotiated with the owners of land in the mountains in Saint-Côme, just east of the Val Saint-Côme ski resort. He persevered until he formed a territory totaling almost 2 million square feet. He then called on Maryse Leduc, a pioneer of sustainable architecture in Quebec, to develop his vision. Thus was born Oxygen Saint-Côme, which will initially bring together 80 chalets built with the aim of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ecological certification.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
François Gagnon wants to promote the development of Saint-Côme, in Lanaudière. He intends to achieve this by carrying out sustainable development while respecting the environment.
“When I went snowshoeing with François Gagnon at the top of the mountain and saw the site, I immediately saw the potential”, explains Mme Leduc, who has been advocating green construction for 35 years. “I spoke about sustainable development and he went all the way, so that we do the most important LEED chalet project in North America. ”
She got down to work to develop an overall vision. She created two contemporary-style chalet models and two Scandinavian-style models, which feature at least three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Two other models are on the drawing board. Her experience helps her make good choices and focus on the essentials.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARYSE LEDUC
Maryse Leduc, a pioneer of sustainable architecture in Quebec, preached in the desert for a long time. But energy-efficient homes, well oriented to take advantage of solar energy, built with healthy, sustainable and local materials, are increasingly in demand, she notes.
While taking into account the budget, we are at the top with geothermal energy in the two model houses currently under construction, passive solar energy, healthy materials, sustainable and local materials and as many local stakeholders as possible.
Maryse Leduc, architect and pioneer of sustainable architecture in Quebec
” Everything is here. It is all this, responsible ecotourism, with an approach centered on well-being, ”she adds.
On known ground
The architect, who works a lot in the various regions of Quebec, had already had the opportunity to design chalets in Lanaudière. François Gagnon, president of Lyscor Investments, knows the sector very well for other reasons: he grew up skiing in Val Saint-Côme, just like his wife. They continue to ski there as a family, with their two children aged 13 and 7.
“It is the most developed mountain in Lanaudière, with 44 trails for all levels and all tastes, and evening skiing,” he emphasizes. But there are hardly any cabins for rent. ”
He detected a need and took advantage of his atypical schedule to meet it. Until recently, he worked 14 consecutive days in Alberta, in the oil industry, and returned to his family for 14 days in L’Assomption, before leaving. “At first glance, this does not fit the message launched with Oxygen Saint-Côme,” he admits straight away. But my role was to do everything in my power to ensure that the developments made within the framework of this industry are carried out in the most responsible manner possible. It was my personal mandate and I gave myself the tools to achieve it. ”
This sensitivity led him to want to carry out sustainable development, while respecting the environment. This is why he contacted Maryse Leduc. “She was green before green existed,” he points out. I try to be green in my efforts and I surround myself with people who have really experience and are able to ensure that projects are done in the most responsible way possible. This is what Maryse allowed. ”
Never seen
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PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
The construction of this model chalet, designed by architect Maryse Leduc, is very advanced. This is the Le Refuge model, 1471 ft2.
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PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Interior view of the Le Refuge model, built with the aim of LEED certification. Note the care given to the insulation of the walls. The windows are triple glazed. Thanks to geothermal energy, the floor on the ground floor is radiant, with water.
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PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
The Le Chic model, under construction, is contemporary in style. Covering an area of 1,568 sq.2, it has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
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Initially, 80 cabins from 1,500 to 2,500 sq. Ft.2 (at costs varying from $ 650,000 to $ 1 million, land and many infrastructures included) will be built in the mountain. Among other things, the promoter plans to add a ski slope to facilitate trips back and forth to Val Saint-Côme. The owners will be able to rent their residence if they wish, but it will not be an obligation.
“If they want to rent their chalet for the short term, we will put a management company in place to take care of it,” explains Mr. Gagnon. If they want to lease it long term, they can do it themselves. And if they don’t want to rent at all, that’s fine. This is their home. ”
In resorts, such a commitment to build 80 LEED single-family homes has never been seen in Quebec and probably not in Canada, says Emmanuel Cosgrove, General Manager of Ecohabitation and LEED Canada Senior Appraiser for Homes. He visited the two show houses, the construction of which is very advanced.
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ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY LYSCOR INVESTMENTS
This is what the interior of the Le Refuge model will look like, which will feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
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ILLUSTRATION PROVIDED BY LYSCOR INVESTMENTS
This is what the interior of Le Chic will look like, which will feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
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“It’s Maryse Leduc in a compact format, with a very thoughtful design on the slab,” he explains. Of course, I have a weakness for anything that does not have a basement. Not only is there less concrete, but also no cloudiness in the spring with the rise of the water table, so no mold. They aren’t huge houses either. Cabins are often less than 1000 sq. Ft.2 on the ground with mezzanines. “
With the telecommuting and the ability to live in the countryside for good, I think it’s probably going to be a more lived-in project than anything else. And if there are those who decide to rent their chalet, it makes perfect ecological sense. This allows sharing, so that others can enjoy it, while making the purchase profitable.
François Gagnon, President of Lyscor Investments
This is a first step, with others to follow to develop the land of nearly 2 million square feet. The construction of 400 other dwellings, integrated into the vertical drop of the mountain, is among others envisaged.
The developer also recently completed the purchase of a former 7.6 million square foot golf course on the other side of the mountain. This will allow him to create a large-scale recreational tourism project offering activities during all four seasons.
Visit the Oxygen Saint-Côme website