Project Name: The Break Residence
Architect / Designer: MU Architecture
Team: Jean-Sébastien Herr, Charles Côté, Magda Telenga, Andrée-Anne Godin, Emilie Vinet Gagnon, Baptiste Balbrick
Cabinet Maker: Illo
Structural engineer: MA-TH
Contractor: Construction Metric
Elevator: Savaria
Furniture: Element de Base
Landscape: Artis Paysage
Location: Saint-Hyppolite, Quebec, Canada
Completion date: September 2022
Area: 6700 sq. ft.
Photos: Ulysse Lemerise Bouchard
Courtesy of MU Architecture
The Break Residence, located on the shores of Lake Revdor in the Laurentians and designed by MU Architecture, showcases a harmonious blend of modern architecture with its natural surroundings. This home serves as a final retreat for its owner on ancestral land, creating a space that is deeply connected to its environment.
Dual Facades: Contrasting Perspectives
The residence presents two distinct faces depending on the viewer’s perspective. From the street, the house appears as a series of interlocking volumes resembling rocks, blending seamlessly with the sloping terrain. The entrance is a striking feature, set under a double-story canopy, and provides a warm, inviting entry point that emphasizes the communal areas of the home.
On the lakeside, the house takes on a more open and expansive character. The extended roof overhangs and golden-accented soffits interact dynamically with the lake, enhancing the house’s connection to its natural surroundings. This side of the home is designed to feel as if it’s reaching out to embrace the landscape.
Interior Design: Calmness and Comfort
Inside, the Break Residence is designed to offer a calm and comfortable living environment, with spaces bathed in natural light and open to views of the lake. A central stone wall serves as an anchoring element, unifying the three levels of the home. This wall, present both inside and outside, creates a cohesive design that links the interior and exterior spaces.
Materials were chosen with care, focusing on their ability to age gracefully and add character over time. The use of quartzite, slate, oak, maple, and western Canadian hemlock contributes to the home’s timeless quality, ensuring that it remains both functional and aesthetically pleasing as it matures.
Thoughtful Amenities
The Break Residence is designed with hospitality and comfort in mind. Each level of the house is accessible by an elevator and includes service areas, coffee stations, and bars. Private bathrooms and balconies for each room, along with small lounges and boudoirs, provide spaces for relaxation and contemplation, all while offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
The Break Residence by MU Architecture demonstrates a thoughtful approach to integrating modern living with the natural environment. Through careful design and material selection, the home offers a luxurious yet grounded living experience that remains deeply connected to the land on which it stands.
