Brief : The Wood Duck is L’Abri’s first built house design. A simple concept, rational plan and traditional methods of construction were put forward to simplify the construction of the project, self-build by a young carpenter with a modest budget. The architecture is humble : the little wood volume recedes in the landscape.

This little house was drawn for a young carpenter wishing to self-build his first home in Bolton, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.

The land faces the ski slopes of Mont Glen to the south and overlooks the river below. This topography orients the house plan. The south facade opens fully to the valley. The north facade, headed towards the public domain, is only punctuated by two discrete punch windows.

The footprint of the house is modest, its plan is square. On the ground floor, natural light pours down on the living spaces, through the curtain-wall of the double height set to the south. Serving spaces are positioned to the north. The upper level houses two bedrooms and one bathroom.

The project inhabits the landscape humbly. Its simple form and the uniform board and batten siding participate to blend the little rough hemlock volume in its environment. The evolutive and rough nature of its skin preserves the natural surroundings. It’s owner baptised it the Wood Duck