The Hauts-Bois House
in the Laurentians
Set deep in the woods, the residence frames the landscape with understated geometry
Via v2com
September 18, 2025
Nestled in the heart of the Laurentian forest, the Hauts-Bois House by Thellend Fortin Architectes stands out as a second home that celebrates the relationship with its landscape. Its pure geometric design reveals the richness of the natural environment.
Conceived as a true retreat, a minimalist design reveals the richness of the landscape.
Built into the slope, the house features an asymmetrical silhouette that extends the site’s topography. Varying floor levels offer seamless, ground-level circulation between indoor and outdoor spaces, while the cantilevered main suite highlights the rugged relief of the setting.
The narrow structure, broadly open to nature through panoramic windows, maximizes the connection to the outdoors. A sequence of linked rooms provides cross-views—sometimes framing the panorama, sometimes capturing the light. Circulation routes aligned with window openings continually direct the gaze outward.
Inside, a single wood tone finishes all surfaces, creating a subtle backdrop that frames panoramic views, each room becoming a living tableau that evolves with the seasons. The arrangement of walls, furnishings, and built-ins follows a pattern set by the steady rhythm of the window openings.
This project was recognized with a Gold Certification (Prestige House) and a Silver Certification (Cottage & Country House / Single-Family Home), underscoring both its architectural achievement and its integration with the landscape.
Technical Data
General Contractor: Construction Metric
Structural Engineer: Paul-Henry Boutros, Poincaré Experts-Conseils Inc.
Windows: MQ Upvc
Wood Cladding: Juste du Pin
Lighting: Lumigroup
Porcelain/Plumbing: Ramacieri Soligo
Thellend Fortin Architectes
Louis Thellend and Lisa-Marie Fortin form a dynamic team with an innovative approach to architecture, its context, and environmental impact. Their practice is grounded in a sensitivity to the settings into which their projects are integrated. Exploring the dynamics of contemporary life, their creative vision is reflected in a wide range of achievements—both in Quebec and internationally—that consistently address today’s pressing issues.
Images: Charles Lanteigne via v2com
