Laurentian Forest House

Surrounded by a forest of maple, spruce, birch, hemlock, and beech trees, this L-shaped home nestles itself into the hillside to preserve mature trees while maintaining unobstructed views across the breadth of Lac Notre-Dame.  Each room immerses occupants in the surrounding forest, offering a warm, quiet, contemplative place of refuge.

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RC thoughtfully designed the winding driveway to weave its way up through the forest adding a sense of mystery and anticipation to the arrival sequence.  Once at the parking court, the house presents itself to the south while a freestanding two-car garage building defines the northern boundary.  A beautifully integrated St. Marc Stone stair leads past natural rock formations via a birch-lined entry walk.  Once inside, the house unfolds to reveal the single-storey living bar to the south and a two-storey sleeping bar to the west and north.  

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A clear cedar ceiling throughout adds warmth, while concrete floors maintain a balance to the material palette.

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An expansive deck with deep roof eaves offers lake and forest views to the south and west.  An open-plan living room, dining room, kitchen, and screened dining porch occupy the living bar, while three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private study, and a lower living room complete the sleeping bar.

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This house is currently under construction.  Completion is expected Spring 2025.

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Team:

Andrew Curtis  Partner, MRAIC, AIA, OAQ, LEED BD+C

Sophie Robitaille  Partner, CSLA,  ASLA, AAPQ

Anne Charbit  Project Architect, OAQ

Huiqing Kuang  Landscape Architect, ASLA

Galen Rochon  Architect OAQ

Quinlan Bundschuh  Architectural Designer

Lauren Kim  Landscape Architecture Designer‍