Nook Residence / MU Architecture

Architects: MU Architecture
Area: 3000 ft²
Year: 2015
Photographs: Ulysse Lemerise Bouchard
Manufacturers: Alumilex
Contractor: Constructions Boivin
Structure: Latéral
Project Team: Jean-Sébastien Herr, Charles Côté, Valérie Beaudin, Pierre-Paul Guillemette
City: Mansonville
Country: Canada

Nook Residence by MU Architecture in Quebec’s Eastern Townships is designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings. The house presents a nearly blank facade to the street, inviting curiosity with strategically placed openings that hint at views of Lake Memphremagog. Inside, open living spaces reveal the lake in stages, with a relaxation area separating public and private zones. The design responds to the steep terrain, with two volumes connected by a ribbon-like roof that also serves as solar shading. The white-painted wood exterior blends with the environment, while the interior features polished concrete floors, black ceramic tiles, and walnut furniture. The house adapts to the seasons, blending into the winter landscape and standing out in summer.

Situated in a tranquil area of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, Nook Residence seamlessly integrates with its surrounding landscape. With its back to the street, the house features a nearly blank facade that invites curiosity and exploration. Strategically placed openings and a large gap in the white exterior offer glimpses of the stunning scenery below as one approaches the building.

Inside, the ground floor features a clear sequence of open living spaces that gradually reveal different views of Lake Memphremagog. A relaxation and contemplation area provides a pause between public and private spaces, serving as a lounge suspended over the void. This interior balcony, positioned between two levels, enhances the experience and appreciation of the site’s splendor.

The steep terrain quickly defined the project’s initial constraints. The house clings to the slope, appearing to project toward the lake. Like origami, the two volumes are connected by a dynamic, bending ribbon that merges the roofs. These projections provide solar shading and protect a large south-facing terrace.

The exterior is uniformly clad in white-painted wood, allowing the house to blend delicately into its surroundings. Inside, the understated materials create a bright and warm atmosphere. Polished concrete radiant floors, black ceramic tiles, and walnut furniture add touches of elegance. Cedar ceilings extend seamlessly from the interior to the roof soffits outside, drawing the eye toward the lake. Large windows blur the line between indoors and outdoors, while a black staircase, continuing the design of the upstairs railing, leads to the lower level. This floor primarily houses two large bedrooms, a bathroom, and a dormitory with exposed board-formed concrete walls.

Serving as a landmark during the lush summer, the house transforms with the seasons, with its white exterior blending into the winter landscape as a tribute to the great Quebec winters.