Testimonial of François Boisclair and Catherine Jutras
François Boisclair and Catherine Jutras built their ideal home by themselves in Abitibi, a project that became a reflection on ways to live in and how to coexist with nature. A nourishing nature, supplying hobbies, inspiration and motivation! In this video, they explain that they do not want to be in constant opposition to the elements, they’d rather adapt their way of life as much as possible according to the place where they live.
Transcription
I don’t find it hard when we know how to live with it. I don’t want to live ‘against’ winter. People often tend to… they try to escape winter as much as possible. I want to live with winter. That part is good! It is a great time to rest, to stay indoors, to enjoy winter sports. Personally, I like to open my courtyard during winter (laughs). It’s part of my routine. Summer is usually a really busy time, a race against the clock: to harvest, to work outside. Then, during winter, a total bliss: now, we can rest until spring! (laughs) For me, winter is not hard… but I think I mostly don’t find it hard because of our home, it makes winter fun. It is a warm house, it is a house we see… a 360-degree view.
During winter snowstorms, it is beautiful: we see snow falling from all the windows. Great times! It gives the image of… I often say that, a Christmas ornament (snow globe), when you shake it like this! (movement) With the house like this (with the fenestration)… It gives the impression to be at the centre of this globe, to see the snow all around!