Bolton Residence

Floating among the Treetops in a Cantilevered Perch

Perched on a rugged, natural plateau with far-away vistas of Mount Orford and the valley below, this holiday home in Quebec is in perfect symbiosis with its natural environment.

A strikingly bold silhouette modeled on the typical rural barn, the house juts out over the steep mountainside that slopes below.

Working with Montreal-based architectural firm Nature Humaine to translate the site's rugged environment, the firm scrutinized the views, the light and the changing seasons to translate and synthesize it all into shapes, sequences, materials, and character in a sensitive and balanced design.

Characterized by two large stacked rectangles, the wooden clad upper floor is anchored into the mountain with a cantilevered concrete foundation and a gabled roofed rising high above the terrain, giving the sensation that the house is floating among the trees.

The upper living spaces offer sweeping views that change with the seasons from long horizontal strip windows. Anchored by a polished steel fireplace, the living room and dining area flow towards the kitchen carved out of a central black dividing wall separating the spaces from the en suite master bedroom. There's an additional double bedroom downstairs with room for four guests total.

Clad in black from the outside, the interiors are a cool, minimalist palette of slate grays, warm wood, and dramatic black accents that add drama and sophistication.

THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS OF QUEBEC

Quebec's charming eastern Eastern Townships lie just thirty minutes from Montreal among the lakes and picturesque mountains and countryside.

Along the way are numerous small towns and lovely villages like nearby North Hatley and Eastman with quaint shops, gourmet restaurants, farmer’s markets, and the wine routes.

Nestled in the heart of the Missisquoi Valley, East Bolton is a charming mix of nature and history that includes the 19th century Bolton center and south Bolton surrounding lakes Brome, Magog and Memphremagog. The ethereal St-Benoit du Lac Abbey is a highlight of the region and dates back to the turn of the century, as is a stop along the Townships Trail.

For ski buffs, it's a 30 minute drive in either direction to Mount Orford and Owls Head ski resorts for winter sports and summer hikes. 

LOCATION

East Bolton, Quebec, Canada. Nearest Airport: Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport (130km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through Fall for the mildest temperatures with snows and nearby ski resorts for winter fun