Green-roofed visitor center blends into Quebec’s lakeside landscape

This handsome timber building by the lake looks like a sumptuous holiday retreat, but rest assured it’s open to the public for all to enjoy. Canadian design studio Anne Carrier Architecture completed the visitor center in Quebec’s Mont Orford National Park. The team skillfully blended the building into the landscape using a black-stained facade and a green roof. The building, known as the Bonnallie Services Center, is one of several design projects the architecture firm has completed for the nat

Located next the stunning Stukely Lake, the 430-square-meter Bonnallie Services Center embraces views of the lake and mountains beyond. The two-story building is partially embedded into the earth and is angled to maximize views and frame an outdoor amphitheater. Full-height glazing is installed on the second floor for panoramic viewing and opens up to a covered outdoor terrace with seating.

The visitor center is clad in black-stained timber to make the building recede into the landscape. In contrast, the interior is dominated by pale cedar. In addition to a welcome center for visitors, the contemporary building comprises boat maintenance and storage facilities, kitchen, and gift shop. “Exterior and interior spaces are connected by a network of walkways, stairs, covered passages nooks that are inspired by the natural meandering of walking trails,” said the architects to Dezeen.