Surrounded by a dense, immersive forest, the house seems to glide gently along the slope, in quiet complicity with the mountain that embraces it. More than a house, it is a contemporary refuge designed for contemplation.

The result of a sensitive collaboration between design studio Vives St-Laurent and architecture firm ATA Architecture, the project unfolds over three levels, including a partially buried floor that precisely follows the site’s natural incline. This strategic placement deviates from the area’s more conventional housing typologies — largely shaped by 1960s suburban architecture — offering a subtly sculptural volume deeply rooted in its surroundings.
From the outset, the structure was defined in close partnership with the owners, demanding a carefully choreographed interior design approach: fluid spaces, generous natural light, and intuitive circulation that honours the logic of the site.

Organised around an internal courtyard, the layout emphasises transparency and connection with the forest through a fully glazed rear façade. From the entrance, a linear vestibule leads to a slightly sunken living room — an architectural gesture that amplifies both the intimacy of the space and the drama of its double-height ceiling, softened by a long vertical curtain.
To the left are the private spaces: boudoir, office, gym, and access to the basement. To the right, the social areas: kitchen, dining room and the staircase leading to the upper floor. All spaces flow organically, without abrupt divisions, in a continuous and intuitive circulation.
The interior reflects the lifestyle of its occupants: elegant, refined, yet warm. The architectural language is geometric and restrained, softened by subtle details — curves in the fireplace, the walls and the built-in furniture add rhythm and lightness throughout.
In the living room, a linear volume clad in terracotta ceramic (imported from California) frames the fireplace — a central feature and client favourite. Hovering above the double-height void, the Tekio pendant light, made of washi paper, diffuses a soft, enveloping glow.
The material palette strikes a balance between natural oak and darker stained wood, creating a rich, coherent and textured contrast.

Montpellier House is the outcome of a deep collaboration between clients, architects, and designers. A piece of architecture that grows from its site, attuned to the landscape, where every detail contributes to a poetic and intentional living experience.