Location: Saint-Hyppolite, Quebec, Canada
Architect / Designer: MU Architecture
Team: Jean-Sébastien Herr, Charles Côté, Magda Telenga, Andrée-Anne Godin, Emilie Vinet Gagnon, Baptiste Balbrick
Cabinet Maker: Illo
Structural Engineer: MA-TH
Contractor: Construction Metric
Elevator: Savaria
Furniture: Element de Base
Landscape: Artis Paysage
Completion Date: September 2022
Photos: Ulysse Lemerise Bouchard
Area: 6700 sq. ft.

Press Distribution: v2com

About MU Architecture

Founded in Montreal in 2010 by Charles Côté and Jean-Sébastien Herr, MU Architecture is recognized for its elegant contemporary residences, its human oriented and creative office spaces, and its large-scale avant-garde projects. Capitalizing on their experience in several world-renowned architectural firms, the founders of MU Architecture have been able to enrich their experience with the highest standards in Montreal, Vienna, Barcelona, and Dubaï.

Firmly positioned as one of the leaders of its generation, MU Architecture, assisted by the latest design technologies, shapes spaces and structures in order to create a unique and infinite experience. Its refined and luminous style takes on a new form with each project.

MU Architecture, distinguished by its human approach and its emphasis on communication, handles elegance and creativity. Advocating ecological values specific to its generation, the agency promotes a balance between iconic architecture and the preservation of ecosystems.

Talented and passionate, MU Architecture’s team has seen their work published many times on the world stage, and their bold vision has earned them several international awards.

Home facade with sleek and clean lines, dark siding, and large windows.

The front-loading garage is complemented by a concrete driveway and a concrete tiled walkway leads to the home's entrance. — The front-loading garage is complemented by a concrete driveway and a concrete tiled walkway leads to the home’s entrance.

The main entrance is crowned with a double-story canopy.

Large windows give us a glimpse of the interior.

Clean lines from the volumes create a modern look while wood cladding adds warmth to the home's exterior. — Clean lines from the volumes create a modern look while wood cladding adds warmth to the home’s exterior.

This part of the house showcases two levels of balconies bordered by glass railings.

Upon entry, guests are welcomed by a foyer and dining room separated by a large console table.

Floor-to-ceiling windows bring natural light into the kitchen.

A unique contemporary chandelier illuminates the dining area.

The dining area flows seamlessly into the living room.

The living room is decorated with black and white artworks along with an eye-catching sofa.

A modern staircase across the living area leads to the upper level and basement.

The living room includes a quirky chair that matches the sofa.

Oversized sliding glass doors extend the living space onto the balcony.

A vibrant orange couch brings a pop of color to this living space.

This living area's relaxing vibe is enhanced by the surrounding forest that can be seen through the oversized glass sliders. — This living area’s relaxing vibe is enhanced by the surrounding forest that can be seen through the oversized glass sliders.

The bedroom has also access to the balcony where views are more appreciated on its top level.

The modern aesthetic continues to the bathroom with a frameless mirror and a sleek vessel sink.

At night, the house is flooded by ambient lighting boosting its warm atmosphere.

The multi-level balconies wrap around the house to maximize views and living space.

Ground floor plan of The Break Residence. — Ground level floor plan of The Break Residence.

Upper level floor plan of The Break Residence.

Lower level floor plan of The Break Residence.

Built on the shore of Lake Revdor, in Quebec’s Laurentians region, the Break Residence reveals different faces, depending on whether it is discovered from the water or the ground. Encapsulating the idea of “home,” this luxurious residence aids in fulfilling a man’s wish to build his final home on the land of his ancestors. Opening itself up over three levels, this spacious home serves as a place of welcoming and gathering for a small community formed by the few neighbouring houses.

A House with Two Faces

The ambitious program, combined with a particularly narrow lot, required the construction of a new house in the place of an existing one. On the street side, the residence has several interlocking volumes that resemble a series of rocks. The sloping topography reveals only two levels from the street, hiding the garden level that provides access to the lake on the opposite side.

The sculptural main entrance lies under a double story canopy, chiselled between the rock-like volumes to create a warm and inviting environment that serves as the heart of the home. The openings expose circulation and gathering spaces of the residence, emphasizing the conviviality of the place.

On the lake side, the residence exhibits a completely different personality; open and extroverted. With its amplified roof overhangs and angled soffits’ golden accents, which reflect the ripples and movement of the lake below, the house seemingly spreads its sails into the wind.

Raw Materials Serving Its Beauty

As one enters the house, calm and comfort govern. Bathed in light throughout the day, and wide open to the lake, the residence comprises a distinguished and contemplative character. The mineral nature of the selected materials within the interior architecture contribute to this peacefulness.

At the heart of the residence, a stone wall stands like a mast, acting like an anchoring element for the house. Part space separator, part unifying architectural element, it accommodates three fireplaces and unifies three different levels.

Present both inside and outside, this wall adopts the same language as the soffits, transposing the interior and exterior character. As such, these fluid and graceful gestures provide coherence and strength to the project.

Each material was thoughtfully and carefully selected. The expressive veining of the quartzite, with lines invoking the colour of water, the texture of the slate, the warmth of the oak and maple furniture, the maple flooring, and the western Canadian hemlock ceiling, combine to promote timeless architecture where the patina of both stone and wood form the base on which the house stands, will grow old, and will gain beauty.

Here, space and luxury are at the service of hospitality. Accessible by an elevator, each level has a service area, a coffee station, and a bar. In addition, each room has its own bathroom and balcony.

The residence is punctuated with small, contemplative lounges and boudoirs where one can relax and enjoy the serenity of the spaces and their breathtaking views.

Like the rock onto which one drops an anchor, the residence is an ode to hospitality, generosity, comfort, and the beauty of nature and all of its elements.