Garderie Coucou Hibou

New construction Commercial2023

“That’s it, the little, tiny owl feels ready to leave the nest to fly.
First to the big chestnut tree, then to the river, and even further…”

– Excerpt from the story Petit, tout petit hibou s’envole

Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes

In the heart of the Mont-Tremblant region, the Coucou Hibou daycare project brings to life a place imbued with the principle of education through nature. Designed in perfect symbiosis with its natural environment, this project offers much more than a space dedicated to welcoming toddlers; it constitutes an educational ecosystem designed to support each child on their journey towards discovery and fulfillment.

  • Construction : Gestion NAB
  • Photographer : Adrien Williams
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
The Coucou Hibou daycare is spread out harmoniously along a path that criss-crosses the entire site. The different pavilions are strategically positioned along the path and hang elegantly, creating a fluid path between the interior and exterior spaces. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
The reception pavilion acts as an essential interface between the street and the site, establishing a filter between the flow of automobiles and pedestrians. It represents the entrance threshold, the point of origin of the path which guides towards the other pavilions. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
The gaps deliberately left between the pavilions play an essential role in allowing the natural landscape to fit inside the project and for light to penetrate. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
The subdivision of the project into small pavilions promotes a clear understanding of each space, allowing the 80 children of different age groups to exist under separate roofs. In this dynamic, the principle of “hut within a cabin” comes to life. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
Particular spaces, such as the clearing, the agora and the cabin, reveal themselves as delicately constructed sub-places, acting as intermediaries between the built project and the natural setting of the site. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
Beyond their completed aesthetic, the interior spaces have been designed to support those involved in the deployment of a pedagogy focused on the awakening of the child. Every corner becomes a learning opportunity, fostering little ones' natural curiosity. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
From bright playrooms to specially designed outdoor spaces, the place has been designed on a child-friendly scale, creating a comfortable and welcoming environment that stimulates the development of their skills. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
The materials were carefully selected, favoring the creation of a timeless and durable building. The organic aesthetic helps respect the surrounding nature and provides a stimulating setting for growing young minds.

The incorporation of rounded cedar shingles quickly emerged during the design process, providing a subtle analogy to owl plumage. This integration gives the building a symbolic imprint of comfort. ↓
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
Garderie Coucou Hibou by Bourgeois / Lechasseur architectes
The Coucou Hibou daycare center is not just a welcoming place for little ones; it represents an educational odyssey in the heart of nature. A place where architecture, environment and pedagogy come together to create an inspiring sanctuary, conducive to the awakening and development of each child, thus shaping future generations with kindness and respect for the world that surrounds them. ↓