Architecture Firm: DESK architectes
Contact e-mail: info@deskarchitectes.com
Firm Location: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Project location: Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada
Completion Year: 2020
Gross Built Area: 200 square meters (2 150 square foot)
Lead Architects: Etienne Duclos / Kevin Sylvain
Photo credits: Maxime Brouillet
Clients: Private
Engineering: MA-TH

This is a look at the exterior of the house that blends in with the surrounding foliage with its dark exterior walls but stands out with its warm glowing windows.

The house has a modern design twist to a traditional shape to make way for a balcony on the second floor.

This is a close look at the large window of the house and the dark exterior walls that are complemented by the pine tree.

This is a narrow staircase that leads to the balcony of the house and also serves as a back exit.

This is a look at the front of the house showcasing the car port and the large main entrance.

This is a look at the great room of the house that houses the living room, dining area and kitchen under on the same light hardwood flooring.

This is a close look at the simple living room with a couple of sofas brightened by the large glass wall.

The dining area has a rectangular white modern dining table paired with various chairs and topped with a yellow decorative pendant light as well as a large glass window.

The kitchen has a waterfall kitchen peninsula paired with white stools that stand out against the dark wooden tone of the island.

The kitchen also has dark cabinetry lining the walls that make the stainless steel appliances of the kitchen stand out.

This is a look at the second-floor landing through the glass wall of the second level corridor with white walls and light hardwood flooring.

This is a close look at the bedroom with a large bed adorned by the unique wooden structures at the bedside to support the lamp and drawers.

This view of the house elevation showcases more of the dark exterior walls of the house that pairs well with the surrounding tall trees.

this is an aerial view of the house that shows the landscaping and the road near it.

This is an illustrative representation of the implantation and position of the house within the area.

This is an illustrative representation of the ground level floor plan.

This is an illustrative representation of the second level floor plan.

This is an illustrative representation of the side elevation of the house.

This is an illustrative representation of the cross elevation of the house.

This is an illustrative representation of the cross elevation of the house on the side of the balcony.

Located in Morin-Heights in the Laurentians, a large piece of land with a slightly mountainous topography was chosen by a young couple to build their family home.

The mandate was to design a new residence, resolutely contemporary and harmonizing with its natural context and its environment.

The two-story building is divided into three distinct zones, organized around a vertical distribution: day rooms, night rooms, and technical rooms. Responding to the constraints related to the topography and the tree canopy, the day rooms are located upstairs to benefit from the natural light coming from the east and south. The night rooms are located on the ground floor; there are three bedrooms and a bathroom.

In all rooms, abundant windows allow the landscape to be framed, particularly upstairs, where we can see the mountains, in the distance, between the trees. The outdoor terraces are placed on the second level, thus connecting them directly to the living spaces. As an extension of the building, above the carport, the main terrace faces northwest, to take advantage of the natural light on summer afternoons.

Inside, sober spaces and a light color palette highlight the surrounding landscape – a wish shared by both clients and architects.

On the outside, the house is completely covered with black siding, except for the architectural alcoves cut out of the main volume, marked by warm wood. The dark wood siding is made of planks and joint covers modulated in different layers; a reminder of the surrounding mountains.

The B+L residence shows sobriety and efficiency, both in its organization and in the aesthetic choices that compose it.