A recently completed modern beach house in Prince Albert National Park in Canada

The Waskesiu Beach House, a modern public beach pavilion clad in Kebony wood, was recently completed on the shores of Waskesiu Lake.

The 260 m2 structure, located in Prince Albert National Park and designed by Winnipeg architecture studio 1x1, serves as a gateway to the lake for swimmers and sunbathers. Clad and clad in modified Kebony wood, the beach pavilion has already won a Prairie Wood Design Award in the “Recreational” category.

For Travis Cooke of 1x1, designer of the project: “Wood was chosen as the main material for this beach pavilion because the client, Parks Canada, strongly recommends the use of natural materials in its constructions. We opted for Kebony wood because we had used it successfully on previous projects, and we knew its resistance to heavy use, which will test the installation during the summer months. Plus, we like its ability to maintain a natural look. »

The house consists of a simple gabled roof that surrounds a picnic area, toilets, showers and changing rooms. The seasonal requirements, from which the various components of the building flow, create a “portal” that serves as a framed entry point for bathers.

The view, as if also framed by the gate, is like a perfect postcard with its herds of moose drinking against the backdrop of the setting sun. The minimalist material palette consists of glazed concrete masonry units, Kebony modified wood cladding and a translucent glass channel system.

The building, which replaced a facility open only from May to August, was designed for multi-seasonal use. It is open year-round to encourage winter recreational activities in the park, and was funded by National Parks Canada.