Nature Balance: A Tranquil Refuge Blending Design and Nature

Award-winning Residence House by Lise Fournier

In the world of design, there are projects that stand out for their unique ability to seamlessly blend with nature. Nature Balance, a residence house designed by Lise Fournier, is one such project. This award-winning design captures the essence of its surroundings, creating a harmonious balance between the built environment and the natural world.

Transparent, open, flexible, simple, and receiving, Nature Balance is a testament to the power of design to connect us with nature. The core idea behind this transformation was to bring the outdoors in, creating an open plan environment that allows for a fluid, versatile, and comfortable space. The design embraces minimalism, using only the minimum furniture and artwork, ensuring that each object has its own breathing space.

The realization of Nature Balance involved strategic architectural decisions. The central staircase was relocated to the north-facing wall, eliminating several interior wall partitions and partially opening the second floor to the living room below. This created a flexible open plan, with high elevated ceilings and large expanses of windows, inviting the outside nature inside the home. The result is a space that seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, providing a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world.

With a total area of 207.5 m2, Nature Balance is a complete renovation of the property. The design team, led by Lise Fournier, included Monique Lirette and Stephanie Gionet, who contributed their expertise to bring this vision to life.

Every floor of Nature Balance has its own function, addressing the client's needs. The ground floor features an open space area that includes the kitchen, dining area, and sitting area. The living room, with its floating fireplace, complements the views of the floating river, creating a serene and captivating atmosphere. The second floor houses the master bedroom, walk-in closet, master bathroom, and a secondary bedroom, all designed with wide sight lines and an uncluttered aesthetic. The lower basement level takes on an eccentric color palette, with unique components that ensure the space is fun and uplifting.

The project conceptual phase started in January 2016, and the construction phase was completed in July 2017. Nature Balance is located in Shediac River, New Brunswick, Canada, where the natural surroundings and orientation were carefully studied to create a year-round sanctuary for the clients. The design team made numerous trips to the site, examining variations in seasonal, climatic, and lighting conditions, with a particular focus on the river and its views from the open living area.

Nature Balance has received recognition for its outstanding design. In 2019, it was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. Nature Balance stands as a testament to the power of design to enhance our quality of life and create a better world.

Photographer Daniel St Louis beautifully captures the essence of Nature Balance in all the images associated with this project, showcasing the seamless integration of design and nature.