Nestled atop Mont Shefford in the Eastern Townships of Montreal, this residence embodies a perfect balance between urban sophistication and integration with the surrounding nature. Dubbed Maison Shefford, the project brought together MXMA Architecture & Design and Catlin Stothers Design.
In the heart of a forest, this site had immense potential to bring the owners’ vision to life: an intimate retreat in a natural setting where family and friends feel warmly welcomed. Every amenity was designed to offer an immersive experience in nature, while preserving a balance – essential in the owners’ eyes – between comfort and modernity. This strategic location offers breathtaking panoramic views, with endless stretches of woodland and the picturesque town of Bromont.
“When I think back to my childhood, I remember running barefoot in the grass and jumping into the pool,” says Annaliese, owner of Maison Shefford, who grew up in New Zealand. “In New Zealand culture, which is imbued with freedom, you always live close to the beach and nature, and this has had a profound influence on my way of seeing things. The creation of our home was guided by the desire for it to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape and offer children green spaces to play, allowing everyone to enjoy a year-round experience of well-being.”
Maison Shefford unfolds like successive strata, where architecture, interior design and landscape intertwine to create a balanced composition that blends into the trees.
To realize the couple’s vision, MXMA subtly opened up the landscape by very selectively removing certain trees in a limited area. This approach, which reconciles panoramic views with bioclimatic considerations, created the desired balance between architecture and the natural environment, preserving the tree canopy near the house. Subsequently, the firm oriented the house to ensure unobstructed views, effective lighting schemes and efficient weather protection.
“We were influenced by the family’s lifestyle – a couple with two children who enjoy entertaining family and friends, while anticipating their evolving needs for the next stages of their lives,” explains Catlin Stothers. We wanted to create a home that could grow with them.”
Inside, every room and circulation area opens onto the outdoors, with full-height windows framing the landscape like living works of art. As soon as you cross the threshold, the vestibule opens onto an impressive two-story window, offering a panoramic view of the forest unfolding behind the house. This design has been meticulously thought out to integrate the perpetual presence of nature, while optimally capturing natural light.
A floating staircase in wood and glass, subtly integrated, reinforces this visual continuity, adding a touch of elegance to the ensemble. As the hours pass, sunlight pierces the foliage, creating a play of light and shadow that dances through the entrance, lending a soft, welcoming ambience to the space.
On the left, the vestibule opens onto the home’s central living area, a vast layout that includes a living room, dining room, kitchen and wine cellar. This elevated volume, reminiscent of a tree house, allows occupants to immerse themselves in the lush canopy.
“Oversized glass walls and sliding doors make the most of outdoor perspectives,” notes the architect. They provide both visual and physical direct access to the natural environment.”
The clean and warm style of the interior continues outside where you’ll find a spacious living room, fireplace, dining room and kitchen. The fluidity between indoor and outdoor spaces is reinforced by the continuity of the white oak parquet flooring.
Protected from the elements all year round, these outdoor spaces benefit from solar protection provided by green roofs and motorized shutters built into the ceiling. This configuration allows precise modulation of sunlight, while maintaining cool temperatures even on hot summer days.
Inspired by a natural palette, the home is enveloped in refined, neutral materials that embody a clean, sustainable aesthetic. A subtle balance emerges between the anthracite stone exterior, matte black metal, wood cladding and warm interior finishes. Each of these materials has been meticulously chosen for its natural color and texture, with the aim of creating a coherent link between interior and exterior spaces. The selection of these materials was also guided by criteria of sustainability, local availability and environmental certifications, reflecting the commitment of clients, architect and designer to sustainable building.
“All materials were selected for their inherent natural textures and their relationship with the outdoor environment. It was important to the customers that the interiors be modern and minimalist, yet comfortable, welcoming and pleasant to live in,” explains Catlin.
The end result goes beyond the conventions of traditional architecture, offering an experience that is both artistic and sensory. Maison Shefford embodies an authentic connection with its natural setting, echoing its owners’ desire to live in a place where the interior blends with nature all year round.
Photography by Nanne Springer.
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