The Slender House

 The Slender House

Located in the beautiful region of the Eastern Townships near the US border in Quebec, the Slender House Residence unfolds in a long linear volume. Nestled on the steep shores of Lake Memphremagog it opens-up onto a peaceful secluded bay. 

A Blade on the Rock

This 4500-square-foot residence is solidly anchored in the rock thanks to its numerous stone retaining walls and paved terraces. Massive dry stacked, locally supplied granite volumes serve as bases on which rests an impressive 111 feet long roof with bladelike sharp edges. From the street, the roof literally becomes a fifth facade.

Precisely detailed to fit seamlessly within the black wooden exterior walls, a large garage door sits between the massive stone volumes. The discreet and fascinating approach gives us the impression of sinking into the ground between a hanging garden and the house. As one makes his way along these dark and massive facades towards the main access courtyard, a huge glass bay window marks the entrance from which a view of the lake is immediately revealed. The austere and rough appearance of the exterior stands in contrast with the very large, bright and airy interiors of the house.

A feeling of lightness

Worthy of the big hotels, the minutia of the details, the richness of the materials and the control of the lines exude this soothing feeling of lightness.

Using the same material as the residence, a boathouse on the lake also offers an extra kitchenette and a magnificent roof terrace to enjoy the sunsets.

Setting the residence on such a steep ground necessitated the construction of numerous retaining walls offering a great opportunity to develop hanging gardens. Illuminated in the evening, this cascade of vegetation is fully appreciated from the inside and enchants the place.

The Slender house comes as a contemporary reinterpretation of the Bungalow of the 1960s slicing tradition with elegance

Name of the project: The Slender House
Location: Ogden, Memphremagog Lake, Quebec
Client: N/A
Architects/designers: MU Architecture
Team: Charles Côté, Jean-Sébastien Herr, Magda Telenga, Rosalie Trépanier-Blais, Steeve Galté, Camille Mollaret, Pierre- Paul Guillemette

Cabinet maker: Illo, Maël Le Bars, 514-529-8689

mael@illodesign.ca

Structural engineer:  GenieX

Contractor: Denis Legault Construction
Project Completion: July 2017
Photo credits: Stéphane Groleau
Area: 4500 sq.ft. 

About MU Architecture

MU Architecture, based in Montreal since 2010 and in Fort Lauderdale, Florida since 2015, specializes in contemporary architecture and design, with commercial projects, multi-unit housing and numerous residences.