Laurentian Forest House & Landscape

Built on a long-held 8.5-acre family parcel in Wentworth-Nord, the Laurentian Forest House is a second home for a family from the United Kingdom, allowing them to reconnect with relatives who reside nearby. From the outset, the project was shaped as much by memory as by a deep appreciation for the land it occupies.

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Over many summers, the owners’ children camped at the site's summit, establishing a deeply personal connection to the land. Rather than building at this high point, the decision was made to preserve it as untouched, honoured family ground and to situate the house below and around it. This approach protects long views to and from the site while allowing the building to nestle quietly into the terrain.

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Set within a dense forest of maple, spruce, birch, hemlock, and beech, the L-shaped house is carefully nestled into the hillside. Its siting preserves mature trees while maintaining expansive views toward Lac Notre-Dame and the surrounding Laurentian mountains. Each room opens onto the forest, creating a quiet, contemplative retreat that feels deeply rooted in its environment.

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The arrival sequence is a foundational part of the design. A winding driveway rises gradually through the woods, creating immersion in the landscape and heightening a sense of anticipation. At the parking court, the house reveals itself to the south, while a freestanding two-car garage defines the northern edge of the composition. A stone stair, integrated with the site’s exposed weathered rock outcrop, leads to an entry walk lined with birch trees and native ferns. Inside, the plan unfolds as a single-storey living bar to the south and a two-storey sleeping bar extending west and north.

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Material choices are intentionally restrained. A continuous cedar ceiling and custom walnut built-ins bring warmth and cohesion to the interior, while polished concrete floors provide material balance and durability. Generous roof overhangs shelter most of the house, and an expansive cedar deck extends the living spaces among the trees. The living bar accommodates an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, along with a screened dining porch. The sleeping bar contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private study, and a lower-level living area with an entry and mudroom.

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The building envelope was designed for high performance and longevity. Details were carefully considered to avoid thermal bridging.  The envelope exceeds Québec’s energy code requirements, incorporating low-VOC spray foam on the interior wall and ceiling surfaces and mineral wool cavity insulation on the exterior of vertical sheathing to achieve an R-63 roof assembly and R-47 exterior walls. Triple-glazed windows are used throughout to enhance thermal efficiency and occupant comfort.

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Passive design strategies inform the home’s heating and cooling strategies. Operable clerestory windows and extensive glazing enable natural ventilation and allow heat to escape during warmer months, while motorized blinds help regulate solar gain. An electric ground-source heat pump, paired with radiant concrete floor heating, provides efficient, low-carbon comfort. All mechanical systems are fully electric, allowing for a future transition to on-site renewable energy.

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Water supply and management are handled on-site, including drinking water, stormwater, and sewage. The siting process also included the identification of wetlands and the establishment of critical setbacks to protect the surrounding ecosystems.

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The Laurentian Forest House was completed in January 2026.

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Team:

Andrew Curtis  Principal Architect, OAQ, MRAIC, AIA, LEED BD+C

Sophie Robitaille  Principal Landscape Architect, AAPQ, AAPC, ASLA

Anne Charbit  Project Architect, OAQ

Galen Rochon  Architect, OAQ

Huiqing Kuang  Landscape Architect, AAPQ, ASLA

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Photography © Adrien Williams