Cabins╱Reflection Glamping Cabins

小屋╱映像野營渡假小屋　

Meters away from some of Québec’s most spectacular landscapes is an unusual new glamping project. Reflection is the work of Québec-based Bourgeois Lechasseur / architects, who have developed a highly versatile approach to get-away rentals. They first experimented with the luxurious Charlevoix Domes, followed by the slightly nostalgic Cabin A. Reflection, their latest endeavor, is a set of two resolutely contemporary cabins in the woods.

The identical units were built on a flat piece of land close to one of Québec’s most popular ski resorts, Massif Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. The challenge for the architects was to engage guests in an intimate relationship with nature, rather than dazzle them with the overwhelming views nearby. Key to the design was a focus on creating accommodations that would almost disappear among the trees.

The shared arrival and parking area is accessible through an unpaved road, connected to local hiking trails. To ensure maximum privacy for guests, the two minimalist cabins were built back-to-back, fifty meters from each other, one facing east and the other one facing west. Their most striking feature is a totally glazed façade, set against the forest backdrop. Darkened wooden slats clad the other three façades, reinforcing the sense of immersion among the nearby trees.

The entrances, off to the side of each cabin, appear to have been pushed inwards, interrupting the otherwise mostly seamless façades. The move is typical of Bourgeois / Lechasseur architects, who clearly enjoy blurring the lines between exteriors and interiors. The dark wood cladding used outside appears to carry though the interior along the entire length of the living area, while the clear pine ceiling used throughout the units is replicated outside. Designed for up to six persons, each cabin features a cozy living/dining area with fireplace, as well as two enclosed bedrooms and a luxurious bathroom. Guests can also enjoy the relaxing environment of an exterior spa.

Prefabrication In this latest project, the architects opted to experiment with prefabrication. Each of the twin units consists of two modules, prefabricated before being shipped to the site to be assembled. Although the process was meant to be relatively straightforward, it led to unexpected challenges, among them a variety of mechanical connections between the modules. Meticulous site coordination was required during final assembly. Two operations, however, had to take place on location: the pouring of the radiant concrete slab, and installation of the long, reflective glass walls.

Considerable attention was paid to the treatment of the mirror façades in an effort to prevent hazardous bird collisions. Client-driven research led to a product approved by the well-known Audubon Society, as well as several other bird conservancy associations. Almost invisible to the human eye, bird deterrent window markers were carefully installed on the outside of the glass panes that line the living area. A nostalgic yearning for nature resides deep in the minds of many Canadians, often conceived as rustic log cabins tucked away in the woods. Today’s travelers, however, seek comfort and poetry, something Reflection will also provide as guests immerse themselves in the surrounding forest.

在魁北克景色壯闊的地區，出現了一組別緻的豪華新野營小屋——Reflection（「映像」）。由Bourgeois / Lechasseur建築師事務所以高度靈活手法設計而成。外觀帶著強烈現代感的兩棟木造建築，屋型一模一樣，各自建築在平坦基地上，鄰近於魁北克相當熱門的滑雪勝地聖法蘭索瓦小溪（Massif Petite-Rivière-Saint-François）。而建築師要挑戰的課題，是要讓訪客與大自然產生親密連結，不因周遭壯觀遼闊的景色眼花撩亂，整體設計重點在於能打造出完全隱身於樹林間的住宿園區。

訪客會從一條無鋪面的野生道路，來到兩間小屋共用的抵達區與停車區，而這條路也能通往附近的登山步道。兩棟極簡木屋為背對背，彼此相距五十公尺，一棟朝東，另一棟朝西，為同時入住的兩組訪客分別賦予最好的隱私。其中，最引人矚目的特色，是在小屋外表打造出一面全玻璃的立面，映照出森林背景。其他三個立面則以深色木板包覆，強調周圍林木的沈浸感。

入口處在木屋側邊，往內推的作法中斷原本幾乎無縫流動的立面。這是Bourgeois / Lechasseur建築師事務所的典型手法，喜歡模糊室內外的界線。室外的深色木材包覆會延伸到室內的整個起居區域，而所有單元使用的平整松木天花板也會出現在室外。每棟木屋可供六人居住，有舒適的起居／用餐區、壁爐、兩間包覆完整的臥室及一間豪華浴室。賓客也可在室外spa享受令人放鬆的環境。

預鑄工程在這組嶄新的度假小屋設計中，建築師進行了預鑄的實驗。這兩個相同單元都有兩個模組，預鑄完成後再送至現場組裝。這過程看似相對簡單，卻有意料之外的挑戰，其中就是模組間的機械連結複雜繁多，在組裝的最後階段，需要一絲不苟的現場整合。有兩項作業必須在現場完成：澆置能蓄熱與冷卻的混凝土板，及安裝冗長的反射玻璃牆。

處理鏡面立面時必須非常小心，以免發生禽鳥撞擊的危險。這項案件採用的，是考量業主需求的研究所催生出的產品，且獲得知名的奧杜邦學會（Audubon Society）與其他幾個鳥類保育協會核可。起居區周圍的玻璃板外，都仔細貼著驅鳥防撞的窗戶貼紙，而人眼幾乎看不見。許多加拿大人的內心裡，都深深埋藏著對大自然的懷舊渴望，這份渴望會反映在藏在森林的質樸小木屋。而賓客沈浸於周圍森林時，Reflection也會提供現代旅人更想尋求的舒適與詩意。