Photo © Phil Bernard
For the Bromont Summit Chalet in Bromont, Qué., architectural firm Lemay created a warm and welcoming den with contemporary lines that hug the shape of Mont Brome.
The Bromont Summit Chalet offers a place of rest, relaxation, and contemplation, and has become a popular haven for skiers and snowboarders. Lemay’s concept helps preserve the landscape while enhancing the experience of its users who can appreciate the natural beauty of the surroundings, thanks to its generous fenestration.
The chalet is long and made up of a white articulated volume that highlights the splendour of the mountain and allows visitors to take shelter in a warm, natural wooden nest, while remaining in contact with nature.
“This grand gesture of wood is a delicate and subtle intervention on a mountain that is already magnificent in itself and appreciated by the community,” said Eric Pelletier, design principal at Lemay. “The chalet takes form as a simple line, highlighting the summit of a grandiose mountain.”
The assertive architecture of the new building unfolds smoothly due to a combination of geometry, intersection, and transparency. It unites with the topography to frame the summit of Mont Brome by playing with the subtleties of the landscape, its colours, shadows, and changing seasons. Compressing the space at certain times, dilating it at others, the architecture unfolds on several levels, offering spectators different observation points within the building.
Supported by largely glazed walls, its vast white roof stands out from the ground to create a living space where users can see panoramic views of the landscape. Placed on the central volumes, this roof allows the user to explore the periphery and meander around the building. From below, the chalet exposes its interior wooden shell which, in the evening, diffuses a warm, soft, and natural light onto the summit.
“With its extremely thoughtful architecture, our chalet represents a signature location for the mountain, the city, and the region,” said Charles Désourdy, president of Bromont, mountain of experiences. “This gathering place is ideal for creating extraordinary sensory experiences and indelible memories.”
In addition to the chalet, the project includes the attached chairlift and its landing, a maintenance vehicle garage, and a welcome pavilion for the ski resort that has been an economic hub for the City of Bromont.
