Montpellier House in Montérégie, Canada by Vives St-Laurent

05 Jun 2025

Located at the foot of Mount Saint-Bruno, on the South Shore of Montreal, the Montpellier residence blends into a richly natural forest landscape. Surrounded by a dense canopy, the house discreetly nestles into its environment, seeming to slide against the mountain that acts as a backdrop.

Living room with a fireplace Photo credit: Alex Lesage

Located at the foot of Mount Saint-Bruno, on the South Shore of Montreal, the Montpellier residence blends into a richly natural forest landscape. Surrounded by a dense canopy, the house discreetly nestles into its environment, seeming to slide against the mountain that acts as a backdrop. This contemporary residence was conceived as a place of refuge and contemplation.

A design integrated into the landscape

The result of a collaboration between the Vives St-Laurent design studio and ATA Architecture, the project unfolds over three levels, including a garden-level floor partially buried in the natural slope. This sensitive placement allows the building to elegantly follow the terrain’s incline, deliberately breaking away from the more conventional typologies in the neighbourhood, which were mostly built in the 1960s.

One of the main challenges of the project was to integrate a volumetry already defined following in-depth discussions between the clients and architects. The interior design intervention thus revolves around this structure, focusing on fluid circulation, generous openings, and high-quality natural light.

A fluid layout centred on light

The plan is organised around an interior courtyard, while the largely glazed rear façade opens onto the forest. From the entrance, a linear vestibule leads to a slightly sunken living room, carved into the slab. This warm space is punctuated by a fireplace and animated by a double-height ceiling, emphasised by a long vertical curtain highlighting the dramatic elevation of the volume.

To the left are more private areas: a boudoir, office, workout room, and access to the basement. To the right, the living spaces: kitchen, dining room, and stairs leading upstairs. All spaces flow in an intuitive circulation without abrupt partitions.

Subtle materials, sensitive gestures

The interior reflects the occupants’ lifestyle: elegant, refined, yet warm. The vestibule floor, made of ceramic with varied tones, evokes slate laid in an opus incertum pattern. The architectural language, sober and geometric, is softened by subtle interventions: rounded lines on the fireplace mantle, and curves integrated into the furniture and walls.

The living room is dominated by a linear volume covered in terracotta ceramic imported from California, highlighting the fireplace, a client favourite. The Tekio pendant light, made of washi paper, diffuses a soft light into the double-height space.

The palette plays off natural white oak and dark-stained oak, offering a rich and coherent contrast. In the dining room, a dark wood table dialogues with a lighter floor, punctuated by curves that recur throughout the project.

A sculptural and functional kitchen

Designed with a sense of formalrigourr, the kitchen is both discreet and spectacular. A central volume houses a hidden pantry and an integrated bench, marking the transition to the dining room. The island, made of veined natural stone, sits in the centre as a sculptural element bringing daily functions together.

Appliances and the coffee station are concealed behind sliding doors, contributing to the purity of the lines. Large glass doors connect the space to a covered terrace, extending the kitchen outdoors.

Vertical volumes and a calming atmosphere

White oak, used transversely, clads the boudoir’s bookshelf and the full-height storage units, creating a consistent verticality. Each material was chosen to establish a calm and balanced rhythm, while bringing warmth and texture.

Upstairs, a simple double-flight staircase leads to bedrooms and bathrooms. The spacious, secluded master suite includes two distinct walk-in closets and an elegant bathroom designed for everyday comfort.

A sensitive collaboration

The Montpellier residence is a testament to the close collaboration between client, architects, and designers. The project showcases contemporary architecture rooted in its site, where every detail contributes to creating a living experience that is both poetic and thoughtful.