Cottage in Saint-Férréol-des-Neiges

“The positive experience of a space is very personal. So a space that is interesting to me may not be interesting to someone else. One place in which I have a positive experience is the faubourg Nord in Saint-Férréol-des-Neiges. This neighborhood is located near Mont-Sainte-Anne, a ski and outdoor center, and is characterized by a rather unique architecture. First of all, the location of the neighborhood is clearly a plus for me as I am an alpine skiing enthusiast. In addition, I also like the fact that this neighborhood is well integrated with nature unlike other residential developments in the area. Biodiversity is preserved, the houses are small to minimize tree cutting, and except for the streets, there is not really any mineralized space. Moreover, since my family has lived here for a few generations and we have a good circle of friends in the area, our sense of belonging to this place is quite great. It feels like home, which contributes to a positive experience. However, given my field of study (architecture), what gives this neighborhood its uniqueness is clearly the architecture and design of the built environment. Indeed, unlike residential developments made by developers, this neighborhood emphasized self-construction. Thus, each home has its own qualities and flaws, but they all have their own color or personality. Personally, this allows me to easily identify with this living environment, but also with my own house, reinforcing my sense of well-being, or my positive experience of the place. Its integration in the natural context makes the number of possible activities numerous, given the large place occupied by nature, which contributes to my pleasure, and consequently my well-being. Yes, there is sport, but it is also pleasant to go for a walk and observe the architecture, to visit friends in their own spaces, to meet people in the local shops, to contemplate nature, to simply be with your family, etc. In summary, as you can see this experience is very personal, but it testifies to my well-being in this built environment.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.14).

Image: Interior of a cottage in the neighborhood. We see the entry of light and the integration of biodiversity through the opening. Photo taken by Alex Langevin.