Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canadian architects Yiacouvakis Hamelin brought their modern metropolitan aesthetic when designing this countryside home in Canton de Cleveland. While the look of La Cornette may be modern, its roots reek of tradition. From the architects, “Under a soaring roof resembling a nun’s cornet wimple is a roomy dwelling modeled on traditional Quebec houses of old that lodged large families and their relatives.” This particular house was made for two families, holiday gatherings and large celebrations. This hub of hustle and bustle is surrounded by peaceful pastures and pristine nature. The hillside home was built into the slope, giving each of its two levels direct access to the surrounding landscape.
With all the activity buzzing inside, these serene surroundings are a respite from the everyday.
The home’s sharp, angular silhouette and glazed facades gives it a completely contemporary aesthetic – an unexpected architectural element in this rural setting.
The sloping site allows this two-storey house walk-out access to the outdoors at each level.
While the house plan is steeped in tradition, its materials were selected and used with an avant-garde eye. According to Yiacouvakis Hamelin, “Shingled with raw fibre-cement panels on the walls and roof, it is a house beyond the domestic scale, simple and rot-proof, capable of standing the test of time. The house is striated with bands of horizontal windows, giant louvers that cut the sun at its most powerful, with new points of view at each level. It is protected by its wimple from the hot summer sun and inundated with light in the winter, needing neither air-conditioning nor heating on sunny days.”
The bright, airy interiors leave you wanting to explore deeper inside, without ever letting the outdoors out of sight. Come on in!
Interior are wrapped in wood of every form – painted and natural finish, in planks and panels. Furnishings are almost exclusively of made-to-measure custom pieces. This casual dining area offers a bright spot for sunny breakfasts…
… and dinners with a view.
This open shelving system offers display space without compromising the view.
The kitchen is a very minimalist space, with some essential storage space but not a ton, so only the essentials in this space! Storage was sacrificed for the views. The custom, stainless steel island features open shelves below and prep space on top. Where there would typically be a backsplash and upper cabinets, this kitchen instead features windows. Beautiful.
A bank of artful cabinets breaks up this open space, and behind it is a dropped living area.
This den is part of the open concept kitchen and living area, but is defined as separate thanks to its drop. A contemporary fireplace feature makes a bold statement in black, complemented by the custom designed coffee table with hideaway television.
The wrap-around sofa is also a custom piece that completes this space – both in terms of fashion and function.
Follow the alternating pattern of horizontal windows and wood panels, up the stairs topped by a gabled ceiling.
A secret spot in plain sight – your personal book nook, convo corner, or a prime vantage point for these breathtaking views.
The master bedroom is tucked between the gabled ceiling and glass walls, adding height and light to this intimate space.
Housed in its mirror image counterpart, the master bathroom lets you take in the view from the comfort the soaker tub. Ahhhhhh!
Another “dreamy” custom creation.
Wall-to-wall beds accommodate sleepers foot-to-foot, or cradled in the overhanging bunk beds, floating in the landscape.
The architects said it best, this house “is a playground for architects, children, and adults, a vacation colony lost in the countryside.”
Yiacouvakis Hamelin
