Architectural Harmony: The Striking Modern Home Nestled in a Maple Forest, Embracing the Eastern Sunrise

Houses

Oakhill House by Matière Première Architecture

Architect: Matière Première Architecture
Contractor: Nu Drōm
Area: 238 m2
Photos: Ian Balmorel
Windows: Shalwin
Siding: Juste du pin
Furniture: Kastella
Furniture & Lighting: Poliform
Chairs: Carl Hensen wishbone
Press Distribution: v2com

About Matière Première Architecture

Matière Première Architecture is a small architecture studio that has been located in the beautiful Eastern Townships region of Quebec since 2016. After falling in love with the region, the three founders, Etienne Chaussé, Marc-Antoine Chrétien, and Dominic Chaussé, moved from Montreal with their families, becoming part of the local community and gaining a better understanding and broader perspective of the area. Their work mostly focuses on rural residential projects designed by Matière Première architecture, and built by Nu Drōm, their construction affiliate.

The home's dark wood siding blends perfectly with its surrounding.
The home’s dark wood siding blends perfectly with its surrounding.
A stone staircase leads to the porch trellis filled with lush plants.
A stone staircase leads to the porch trellis filled with lush plants.
The multi-level decks offer a wonderful place to entertain.
The multi-level decks offer a wonderful place to entertain.
Expansive glazing blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.
Expansive glazing blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.
With surrounding trees, the open deck creates a serene gathering place.
With surrounding trees, the open deck creates a serene gathering place.
A folding canopy provides a shed to the porch trellis.
A folding canopy provides a shed to the porch trellis.
The kitchen features a large center island fitted with an undermount sink.
The kitchen features a large center island fitted with an undermount sink.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide ample storage in the kitchen.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide ample storage in the kitchen.
Without handles and knobs, the cabinets enhance the modern appeal of the kitchen.
Without handles and knobs, the cabinets enhance the modern appeal of the kitchen.
The dining area offers a wine closet and a wooden dining set topped with oversized pendants.
The dining area offers a wine closet and a wooden dining set topped with oversized pendants.
A large skylight bathes this bathroom with natural light.
A large skylight bathes this bathroom with natural light.
The living room has modern sectionals, a wooden coffee table, and massive windows that take in natural light and expansive views.
The living room has modern sectionals, a wooden coffee table, and massive windows that take in natural light and expansive views.
The living room and kitchen connect with each other for easy entertaining.
The living room and kitchen connect with each other for easy entertaining.
A carpeted floor provides warmth to the bright living room.
A carpeted floor provides warmth to the bright living room.
The primary bedroom features a double-sided fireplace shared by the sitting area.
The primary bedroom features a double-sided fireplace shared by the sitting area.
This bathroom offers a sleek pedestal sink along with a tub and shower combo clad in red mosaic tiles.
This bathroom offers a sleek pedestal sink along with a tub and shower combo clad in red mosaic tiles.
A closer look at the cushioned armchair accentuated with a patterned throw pillow.
A closer look at the cushioned armchair accentuated with a patterned throw pillow.
The wooden nightstand matches the bed for a clean and cohesive look.
The wooden nightstand matches the bed for a clean and cohesive look.

Nestled within the densely forested municipality of Bromont, near Montreal, Oakhill is a single-family residence conceived by local architect studio, Matière Première Architecture, and constructed by its partner firm, Nu Drōm.

Designed to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding maple tree forest, the home faces eastward on a gentle slope. A wetland area to the east forms a natural clearing, while a rock outcropping to the west creates a steeper incline, shielding the residence from both dominant winds and neighboring views.

Concept & Interior Spaces

Emphasizing a modest scale, Oakhill is a sleek, single-story residence that harmonizes with the forest canopy, inspired by the prevailing deciduous trees. Rooted in the gently sloping terrain, a lightweight roof is upheld by a subtle yet robust structure. The alternating single-slope roof provides visual interest, while also managing sunlight and shading. Interior spaces fluidly merge with the natural environment, dissolving the boundary between architecture and nature.

Program

The architectural layout encompasses a living area that connects to both indoor and outdoor spaces through expansive glazed glass, extending towards the master bedroom. In the evening, curtains offer privacy and a cozy ambiance. The landscape design follows the site’s natural gradient, leading to a second level featuring an outdoor fire pit. A semi-inground pool, situated close to the house to minimize environmental impact and tree removal, creates a visual link with the wetland area.

Elevated Design & Gradation

Central to Oakhill’s design concept is the utilization of the site’s gentle slope to subtly elevate interior spaces, providing an expansive view that avoids a sense of confinement within the forest. This elevated perspective harmoniously blends the home with its natural surroundings, creating a seamless transition from the controlled, sleek indoor environment to the organic outdoors.

The thoughtful design approach invites occupants to experience a gradual progression from the refined interior spaces, through the intermediate outdoor living areas and, ultimately, into the lush embrace of the forest. This gradation underscores the home’s unique connection to its environment, fostering a sense of unity with nature.

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