A New Cottage Inspired by Memories of the Original

by Erin Miller on November 3, 2026
A modern two-story cottage in Canada features silver corrugated metal siding, an angled roofline, and a covered wooden porch. Large glass doors reveal the warm interior lighting at dusk.

A family cottage built in the 1970s and later destroyed by fire has inspired an unusual new home in Quebec, Canada. Wrapped in silver corrugated metal, the two-story building has a trapezoidal shape that responds to the constraints of the property. Inside, interior design studio Pavillon, working in collaboration with Sophie Lalonde Architecte, has created spaces that bring memories of the original cottage into a contemporary home.

A Family History That Inspired the New Cottage

For Julie Bureau, one of Pavillon’s founders, the original cottage near Lac Chapleau holds memories of a red exterior, floral patterns, woven light fixtures, and weekends spent riding motocross bikes through the surrounding woods.

These memories influenced the design of the new cottage, where familiar colors and decorative details appear in new ways. The red entry door offers an early reference to the previous building, while the family’s connection to motocross appears in photographs and artwork throughout the project.

A contemporary Canadian cottage with silver corrugated metal siding and square windows stands behind a motocross rider on a gravel driveway. The image connects the modern building with the family's history of riding motorcycles on the property.
A covered wooden porch runs alongside a contemporary cottage with silver corrugated metal siding. Large sliding glass doors connect the deck with the kitchen and living spaces, while exposed ceiling beams and a wooden lounge chair add warmth.

An Unusual Shape Wrapped in Corrugated Metal

The cottage’s trapezoidal shape was developed in response to the constraints of the property. Its angled walls give the building an unconventional footprint, something that also influences the arrangement of the rooms inside.

Silver-colored corrugated metal covers the exterior, including the roof, creating a continuous appearance. The material changes dramatically with the light, appearing bright and reflective during the day and much darker in the evening, when warm interior lighting becomes visible through the windows.

An aerial view of a contemporary cottage reveals its corrugated metal roof, angled building shape, and covered wooden deck. Surrounded by mature trees, the house has an unusual trapezoidal floor plan.
A modern metal-clad cottage photographed at dusk features an asymmetrical roofline, dark corrugated siding, and square windows illuminated from within. A covered porch extends from the side of the two-story building.

Along one side of the cottage, a covered wooden deck provides an outdoor space beside the main living areas. Large sliding glass doors open the kitchen, dining area, and living room toward the deck, allowing the interior spaces to extend outdoors.

A red front door adds a warm accent to the silver corrugated metal exterior of this modern cottage. The covered entrance features wooden decking and a narrow glass panel beside the door.

Making the Most of an Unusual Floor Plan

With limited floor space and angled exterior walls, the layout needed to make every part of the cottage useful. The ground floor brings together the kitchen, dining area, living room, entry, and powder room, with very little space devoted exclusively to hallways.

One particularly practical detail is the passage leading to the powder room, which also provides access to the refrigerator and pantry. This arrangement allows the kitchen to maintain a simple run of cabinetry while keeping additional storage and appliances close by.

Architectural floor plans show the unusual trapezoidal layout of a two-story modern cottage. The ground floor combines a kitchen, dining area, and living room, while the upper level includes bedrooms, a bathroom, and an additional lounge.
A modern kitchen combines matte black cabinets and countertops with warm brown rectangular wall tiles and wooden cabinetry. An exposed ceiling with wooden beams extends over the nearby dining area.

The upper floor includes a second living room, a bathroom, and two bedrooms, one of which also serves as an office. A closet can be converted into a small workspace, and one bedroom can be rearranged to provide additional sleeping accommodation when needed.

These flexible spaces help the cottage accommodate different activities and numbers of guests without requiring a larger building.

A minimalist bedroom features a low platform bed, neutral bedding, and square windows framing views of the surrounding trees. An angled ceiling and warm wood flooring complement the simple interior.
A contemporary bedroom features a raised wooden platform bed positioned beneath an overhead wood-paneled structure. Square windows on two sides bring natural light into the compact sleeping area.

Warm Interiors Behind the Metal Exterior

While the outside of the cottage has an industrial appearance, the interiors introduce a softer combination of materials and colors. Warm wood panels, earthy tiles, and shades of brown create a welcoming atmosphere, while large square windows frame views of the surrounding trees.

In the living room, a velvet sofa by élément de base offers a comfortable place to relax. The stainless steel coffee table provides an unexpected contrast, bringing some of the reflective character of the exterior metal into the room. A freestanding fireplace and wood-paneled wall add to the warmth of the space.

A modern cottage living room features a brown velvet sectional sofa, a reflective stainless steel coffee table, and a striped lounge chair. Large windows frame the surrounding forest, while sliding glass doors open onto a wooden deck.
A cozy contemporary living room combines warm wood-paneled walls with a brown velvet sectional sofa and a stainless steel coffee table. A freestanding black fireplace, colorful lounge chair, and small square window complete the space.

The kitchen continues the earthy palette with warm brown tiles, black cabinetry, and a long countertop. A window above the sink looks out toward the property, while the adjacent dining area features a wooden table, metal-framed chairs, and an exposed wood ceiling.

A vintage Suzuki motocross poster introduces a bright yellow accent to the dining area, referencing the weekends Julie spent riding through the woods near the original cottage. It’s a small detail that gives the otherwise understated interior a direct connection to the family’s past.

A modern black kitchen features warm brown vertical wall tiles, a long dark countertop, and a square window above the sink. A motocross rider visible through the window adds an unexpected detail to the interior photograph.
A contemporary dining area features a long wooden table, metal-framed chairs, and exposed wooden ceiling beams. A yellow vintage Suzuki motocross poster adds color to the warm interior, while large glass doors bring in natural light.

The new cottage doesn’t attempt to recreate the 1970s building. Its silver metal exterior, unusual shape, and flexible layout belong to a contemporary home, while the colors, furnishings, and personal references inside preserve something of the place that came before.

Photography: Maxime Brouillet | Design: Pavillon Interior design studio | Builder: Owner-built | Collaborator: Sophie Lalonde Architecte