/ A minimalist black volume carved to reveal light-filled alcoves, Residence B+L reinterprets the Laurentian landscape through a sophisticated play of strata and elevation.

Nestled in the Laurentian forest, Residence B+L is a contemporary study in vertical organization that prioritizes natural light and local topography. By elevating the living spaces into the canopy, the design creates a seamless dialogue between its minimalist interiors and the distant mountain silhouette. The building’s dark, stratified cladding serves as a tectonic tribute to the region’s geological heritage, balancing efficiency with a bold aesthetic signature.

Located in Morin-Heights, in Canadia’s Laurentians region, a vast lot with a gently mountainous topography—typical of the region—was selected by a young couple to build their first family home.

The mandate was to design a new, resolutely contemporary residence that harmonizes with both its natural context and the built environment.

The two-story building is programmed into three distinct zones organized around a vertical circulation core: a living (day) block, a sleeping (night) block, and a technical block.

In response to the constraints of the topography and the forest canopy, the living areas are located on the upper floor to maximize natural light, oriented to capture the east and south sun. The sleeping quarters are situated on the ground floor, comprising three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Throughout the residence, expansive fenestration frames the landscape, particularly on the upper level where the mountainous terrain reveals itself in the distance through the trees. The outdoor terraces are positioned on the second floor, creating a seamless connection to the living spaces. Extending from the building above the carport, the main terrace is oriented northwest to take full advantage of the natural light on summer afternoons.

Inside, the spaces are characterized by their sobriety. The selected color palette highlights the surrounding landscape—a shared vision held by both the clients and the architects.

The exterior of the building takes the form of a black volume in which architectural alcoves have been carved, revealing a contrasting cladding. The dark wood siding features a board-and-batten pattern, scaled to emphasize the various strata of the building; an evocative nod to the geological composition of the neighboring mountains.

Residence B+L is an exercise in restraint and efficiency, both in its spatial organization and its aesthetic choices.