Project description by StudioAC
Devil’s Glen is located on the Bruce Peninsula, a few hours north of Toronto. The project process began with a picnic on site, where the discussion focused more on the natural elements of the site than on the building. That conversation inspired the ethical proposal for forgiveness.
The project began with two fixations, together with the real house located at NSEW in order to avoid the sun during the day, the view to the water, and to avoid the disturbance of the natural place as much as possible. The second fixation was to decorate the landscape as a machine to create light, levels of privacy and views to the peaks, water and sky beyond.
Devil’s Glen by StudioAC. Felix Michaud
The house is organized in two linear bars, one with bedrooms and the other with an open living space. A simple floor plan of 12′ x 16′ for living spaces and 12′ x 12′ for sleeping allows for convenient living inside. A simple exchange of two bars produces a covered lanai against the water and in the porch covering the entrance, while increasing privacy in both the master bedroom and the secondary bathrooms. This change in the bars and location of the house also obscures the view of the water reaching the site. When you enter the house, the field and the water are revealed through the vignette windows overlooking the forest, as well as the wide glass wall towards the lake.
The plant is piled on a seemingly simple roof that structurally and formally responds to the heavy snowfall that can occur in the area. Simplicity is observed in the formal and structural concept of the roof using trusses shaped and dressed to increase lateral stability, but these have a dual purpose. Even if the exterior face of the roof stands, freedom is given, which could be done with a partition between two panels above the height of the first walls. Within any zone this partition can fly from left to right, sometimes producing an intimate peak, a large hut, or a light funnel. This technique is further developed in the form of a sky viewing platform placed on a sloping ground to view peaks, clouds, and stars.
Devil’s Glen by StudioAC. Felix Michaud
The choice of a unique metal building was inspired by the buildings of the country, and the robust modulation, and free of absolute colors, increases the strength, and renders the attenuation of the characteristic sky throughout the day. Inside, a simple application of white-painted drywall, and plywood to the architectural panels of the Tornatil, while also offering a quiet haven for art, views and sunshine.
