Project: La Villa Luce
Architecture: MXMA Architecture & Design
Architect: Maxime Moreau
Contractor: Demonfort
Engineers: Poincaré Ingénierie (Structure)
Location: Cap-à-l’Aigle, Canada
Area: 288 m2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Nanne Springer
La Villa Luce rises amid a verdant setting in Charlevoix, Canada, where the sun, the St. Lawrence River, and the surrounding mountains gracefully converge. MXMA Architecture & Design positioned this tranquil residence high above La Malbaie so its owners could enjoy a peaceful retreat away from the bustling city.
A Setting in Harmony with Nature
During the owner’s search for a home, childhood memories of open water in Baie-des-Chaleurs, Gaspésie, guided her toward the mountainside village of Cap-à-l’Aigle. She selected a lot within the Teracera real estate development, thanks to its forest seclusion, abundant sunshine, and clear river views. An existing access road reduced the environmental impact of construction, allowing the team to preserve most of the mature trees. They limited deforestation to only a five-meter space around the home, maintaining a canopy that cools the house in summer and buffers strong winter winds.
Anchored Yet Light-Filled Architecture
The team chose a spot far from the main road to ensure privacy and immerse residents in nature. Visitors enter along a boardwalk that meanders through the forest before revealing the two-level house in a serene clearing. On the ground floor, two long stone walls appear to grow out of the earth, symbolizing a strong connection to the landscape. Wooden platforms slot between these walls to form floors and terraces.
Above, a glass story introduces lightness and transparency, merging the interior with the outdoors. A black roof, which seems to float above the structure, completes the design. La Villa Luce also draws inspiration from local building traditions, including a gabled roof, stone and wood surfaces, and wide balconies that echo Charlevoix’s architectural heritage.
Light as a Central Theme
“Villa Luce” references the owner’s Italian roots, where luce means “light.” Before drafting architectural plans, the architect and owners spent time on-site to observe how sunlight moved across the land. They erected a platform to locate the best views and optimal window placements.
They oriented the home along an east-west axis to follow the sun’s path. Shared living areas occupy the upper floor, capturing sweeping views throughout the day. Oversized windows welcome passive solar heat in winter, while roof overhangs limit direct sun in summer. A billiard table, placed at the heart of this level, acts as a central gathering point between the kitchen-dining area on one side and the living room-fireplace on the other. Morning light warms the kitchen and dining space, while the living room glows in the afternoon sun.
Two expansive terraces flank the home and extend indoor living outdoors. Glass railings, discreetly set into the terrace floors, erase boundaries between built spaces and nature. Architectural details such as flush thresholds and consistent floor levels ensure a seamless transition from inside to outside.
An Inviting Ground Floor
Although the upper floor favors open panoramas, the ground level focuses on comfort and restful evenings. A generous entrance hall leads to two bedrooms, a flexible living room, and a master suite, offering ample space for up to eight guests.
Like the upper level, the bedrooms and living room stretch from east to west to take advantage of river scenery and continuous natural light. Each bedroom opens onto its own terrace, where residents can savor peaceful moments among the trees. In the master suite, a large bath recessed into the floor—surrounded by tall windows—offers a soothing immersion in the forested landscape.
A Green Core and Thoughtful Materials
A central forest-green volume runs through La Villa Luce, unifying both levels and both sides of the house. This core discreetly contains service rooms such as the laundry, mechanical areas, bathrooms, and built-in storage for the kitchen and living room. By clustering these elements, the design frees up the southern façade for open, light-filled spaces and uninterrupted views.
Indoors, stone extends from the exterior walls, reinforcing a sense of solidity, while wood ceilings and floors evoke the warmth of a chalet. This material palette harmonizes with the lush surroundings, enhancing the overall feeling of living within the forest.
Sustainability at the Forefront
From the earliest planning stages, the team prioritized environmental respect. They minimized deforestation to preserve local habitats and adopted a slab-on-grade approach to reduce excavation. Replanting native species around the home helped restore the soil and support biodiversity. The stone masonry, sourced within 800 kilometers, lowers transportation-related emissions and endures the region’s harsh climate, reducing long-term maintenance.
La Villa Luce’s orientation captures winter sunlight and relies on strategic cross-ventilation and tree canopy shading to reduce summer cooling needs. The home envelope meets Novoclimat standards for energy efficiency, and durable materials like metal roofing, cedar cladding, and stone further decrease upkeep. Inside, a flexible floor plan allows the residence to evolve with the family’s changing needs.
An Architecture of Well-Being
Ultimately, La Villa Luce shows how careful planning, respect for the land, and human-centered design can converge to create a serene abode. By celebrating the interplay of light, the residence fully embraces its vantage point of the St. Lawrence River and Charlevoix mountains. Every thoughtful detail—from preserving the nearby forest to incorporating local masonry and optimizing energy efficiency—reflects the owners’ desire to live in harmony with nature. The result is a warm, immersive retreat that honors local heritage and invites residents to savor the beauty of their surroundings.
