Building a house in a rural area: elements to adapt in the construction plan
- coraliefortin076
- Aug 1
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 21
When you decide to do a building house in rural in Quebec, your priorities change. What is most important in an urban setting—proximity to services, optimization of limited space, compliance with strict regulations—gives way to new parameters in rural areas: integration into the landscape, autonomy, adaptability to natural elements, and respect for the rural character of the site.
At Plan Maison Québec, we know that every project in a rural area requires a personalized and thoughtful approach. Whether for a main house, a cottage, or a garage, the plan must be designed based on the terrain, the local climate, the immediate environment, and the desired lifestyle.
Think about orientation and brightness
One of the greatest benefits of country living is the direct connection with nature. This translates into open landscapes, fewer built-up obstacles, and more exposure to natural light. That's why Plan Maison Québec consistently recommends designing plans with solar orientation in mind, to maximize sunlight in living areas throughout the day.
In our plans, spaces like the kitchen, dining room, and living room typically face south or west to capture the warm morning and evening light. Conversely, rooms like bedrooms or bathrooms can face north or east to stay cooler. This layout not only maximizes comfort, but also reduces the need for heating and artificial lighting, contributing to greater energy efficiency.
Houses built in the countryside also benefit from greater privacy, allowing for the use of large windows, bay windows, or French doors that open directly onto the surrounding nature, without compromising on privacy. This reinforces the feeling of openness and freedom that living in the countryside brings.
Choose high-performance, local materials
Sustainability is essential when building outside major cities. Houses exposed to the elements—heavy snow, prevailing winds, sustained rain, prolonged frost—must be designed with robust, high-performance materials adapted to the local climate. Plan Maison Québec incorporates local materials into its recommendations that have proven themselves throughout Quebec's seasons, while also addressing ecological and economic considerations.
Among popular choices, we find wood framing, which offers architectural flexibility, thermal performance, and speed of construction. Wood is also an excellent natural humidity regulator, which improves indoor comfort. In rural areas, the availability of local resources often reduces transportation costs and the overall carbon footprint of the project.
We also offer eco-friendly alternatives, such as straw bale walls using the GREB method, or the use of hemp concrete, which improves the thermal inertia of the house. These techniques, still marginal in cities, are perfectly suited to rural settings, where space and regulations allow more freedom of design.
Adjust the size and flexibility of the plan
Contrary to popular belief, a larger home doesn't necessarily mean more comfortable. In rural areas, where lots are larger, it's tempting to design larger spaces, but this also results in higher heating, maintenance, and construction costs. At Plan Maison Québec, we encourage a thoughtful approach based on the household's real needs, both today and in the future.
A good rural house plan should be able to evolve over time. For example, a room intended as a guest bedroom can be converted into an office or a family room, depending on the stage of life. This versatility avoids wasted space and improves the daily use of the home. Furthermore, planning a structure that allows for future expansion, such as a foundation ready to accommodate a garage or a veranda, adds value to the project without compromising the initial budget.
We also believe that a well-designed plan promotes fluid circulation between spaces, in connection with the surrounding nature: direct access to the garden, secondary entrance for outdoor equipment, practical changing room, well-located laundry room, etc. Every detail is important.
Think about energy efficiency and savings
Building in rural areas often requires greater distances between homes and services, which can lead to additional transportation costs. This makes it even more essential to minimize costs related to the home's energy consumption. Plan Maison Québec offers plans that integrate energy efficiency concepts from the outset, resulting in substantial long-term savings.
These solutions include the installation of triple-glazed windows, enhanced insulation of walls, roofs, and foundations, as well as strategic positioning of the home to promote passive solar gain. The use of materials with high thermal inertia, such as certain concrete slabs or natural stone partitions, also helps stabilize indoor temperatures.
The plans can also be designed to easily integrate alternative heating systems, such as wood stoves, heat pumps, or solar panels. By combining these elements, the houses designed by Plan Maison Québec become not only pleasant to live in, but also more resilient in the face of rising energy costs.
Access, maintenance and integration into the community
A construction project in a rural area cannot be separated from the reality on the ground. Accessing the site, connecting services, removing snow in winter, and securing foundations in the face of a high water table are all parameters to consider during the design phase. Plan Maison Québec works with in-depth knowledge of regional specificities to propose plans that take these logistical constraints into account from the outset.
We also strive to design structures that require little maintenance, notably by choosing durable exterior cladding, self-cleaning low-slope roofs, and easy-to-maintain landscaping. In rural areas, simplicity becomes a luxury—and a valuable time saver for occupants.
Finally, integration into the local community is an often underestimated but fundamental aspect. A well-designed and well-located home can foster neighborly relations, encourage participation in social life, and create a real sense of belonging. Living in a rural area also means sharing a way of life.
Rural architectural styles and harmony
Rural architecture has a soul. It expresses elegant simplicity, unadorned authenticity, and a respectful dialogue with the surrounding nature. At Plan Maison Québec, we draw inspiration from this spirit to design plans that harmonize with the landscape while meeting modern tastes and needs.
The popular farmhouse style blends the rustic charm of aged wood, exposed beams, and soft colors with contemporary functionality. Homes inspired by this trend often feature open kitchens, central fireplaces, inviting porches, and warm architectural details. Other styles, however, can also find their place in the region: modern minimalist, Scandinavian, traditional Canadian, or even houses with a reinterpreted barn look.
The most important thing is to respect the identity of the place. A house that is well-integrated visually into its surroundings enhances not only the property itself, but also the community landscape. Plan Maison Québec strives to design personalized plans that combine character and consistency.
Plan budget, schedule and logistics
Building in the countryside requires careful preparation. Delivery times, material sourcing, the availability of local contractors, and weather hazards are all factors to anticipate. Plan Maison Québec supports its clients in this planning, starting with the house plan stage, so that every technical and aesthetic decision takes into account the construction context.
We always recommend allowing a budgetary margin of approximately 15 to 20% to cover unforeseen costs, whether related to land, deadlines, or variations in material prices. In rural areas, some costs may be higher, but others—such as land prices or taxes—may be more advantageous than in the city.
For those who wish to carry out part of the construction themselves, we offer plans tailored to self-build projects, including all the necessary specifications. This not only saves money, but also makes for a more personal and rewarding project.
Modularity, speed and waste reduction
An increasing number of projects are incorporating prefabricated or modular solutions. This type of construction fits perfectly with rural realities: it reduces construction time on site, reduces waste, and allows for better quality control in the factory. Plan Maison Québec can design plans specifically adapted to this type of construction, while maintaining the warm and unique look of a traditional country home.
The speed of execution, the precision of the elements built off-site, and the reduction in unforeseen circumstances make modular construction an increasingly popular solution, especially in regions where labor resources may be limited.
The many advantages of a country house
Choosing to move to the countryside is much more than a simple change of scenery. It's a transformation of pace, priorities, and relationship to space. For Plan Maison Québec clients, building in the countryside offers an exceptional quality of life that's hard to match elsewhere.
Living in the countryside means enjoying a peaceful setting, greater privacy, and a privileged connection with nature. Children can play outside in complete safety, pets have more space, and activities like gardening, hiking, or simply observing wildlife become part of daily life. These elements enhance physical and mental well-being.
From an economic perspective, the country home also represents a strategic solution. Land costs are often more affordable, the lower density allows for more flexible construction, and energy savings are facilitated by a good plan. With the rise of remote working, it is now possible to enjoy this lifestyle without giving up an active career.
Plan Maison Québec designs plans that leverage these advantages: bright, functional homes, adapted to large spaces and tranquility, where life is pleasant all year round.
Conclusion: building house in rural Quebec
Building or renovating in the region means rethinking the construction plan, and Plan Maison Québec is your partner of choice for a suitable, functional, aesthetic, and responsible project. By optimizing orientation, materials, size, energy efficiency, architectural style, logistical integration, and budget, you maximize your chances of achieving a controlled, comfortable, and sustainable construction site.
Are you planning to build a chalet, furnish a house or construct a garage in the middle of nature?
Comments