The Summit | In high places

Being close to the treetops, being lulled by the lapping of the river water below in the spring and admiring the sky at all times: the sensory experience orchestrated by two young Quebec entrepreneurs with the architectural firm _nature humaine leaves us dreaming. Thanks to its construction on the mountainside, the microchalet La Cime, a dwelling with a private spa in the Lanaudière forest, offers a 360-degree immersion in nature.

At first glance, the microchalet La Cime, built in the forest near the village of Sainte-Béatrix, in Lanaudière, is astonishing. With its sculptural lines, it looks more like an art installation or a museum institution than a home. Large pine bark boxes pierced with tiny windows are perched on high steel stilts. It is accessed by two flights of metal stairs suspended in the air like a flight of birds.

“When you cross the landing and climb the second staircase, it’s a bit like walking on a cloud,” says Jean-Samuel Forget, who, with his partner Samy Morneau, opened the doors of La Cime last spring to a clientele looking for special moments alone together or a deep disconnection from everyday life.

Put into perspective

This cottage, located approximately 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Montreal and having a living area of ​​525 sq. ft.^⁠2was designed to awaken the senses dulled by urban life. Perched on the side of a cliff, it stands in the middle of a deciduous forest, particularly dense in the summer months. Its elevated structure allows water to flow freely over the site and offers its guests extraordinary views of the surrounding nature.

“We thought about how to exploit the magic of this landscape, to use nature to amplify the architectural experience,” reports Stéphane Rasselet, co-founder of the architectural firm _nature humaine, which was entrusted with this mandate following the owners’ enthusiasm for the La Binocle project in the Eastern Townships.

The chalet, which has two levels, promotes communion with the tranquil nature of this corner of Lanaudière. The living space (combining the living room, dining room and kitchen) was raised to the top to allow the architecture to offer impressive views of the surroundings, and promote a soothing feeling of floating.

“Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, you feel like you’re suspended in the air,” says Samy Morneau. On either side of the accommodation, nature seems to invite itself inside, which also leads guests of La Cime to enjoy a private Scandinavian-inspired spa with a thermal bath and an outdoor shower on a terrace on the first floor. The different areas of the place are connected by a covered outdoor passage hidden from view thanks to an openwork wooden shutter on the facade.

In suspension

This place, intended for two people, required rational space management where furniture blends into the decor and combines to allow different uses. A seat in the dining area complements a bench in the living room to be able to lie down comfortably. And a rope fixed as a guardrail for the room inspired the creation of a rope hammock that can be accessed by stepping over a bench, which advantageously extends the living room and invites you to take a nap.

As co-owner and neighbor of this enchanting place, Jean-Samuel Forget has had the chance to stay there several times and never ceases to be amazed during his visits. “When I go up to get water from the kitchen at night, thanks to a gigantic window in the living room, I can see, in the dark, the moon and the stars, and I take the time to settle down on the sofa to observe this spectacle.” A moment suspended between heaven and earth.

Visit the _human nature website

Visit the La Cime website