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The Owl’s Head House was designed by Studio MMA in collaboration with Construction Memphré and is perched on an excavated plateau atop a cliff, overlooking the picturesque Missisquoi Valley in Memphrémagog, Quebec, Canada. Set on its rocky site cloaked in a birch forest, this secondary residence will progressively become the occupant’s primary residence upon retirement.
Designed for the couple to live comfortably on the main level, the house includes additional family spaces on the lower level to accommodate their children and their future families. To make the most of the excavated rock profile, a two-level layout quickly proved the ideal configuration.
DESIGN DETAILS
ARCHITECTURE Studio MMA
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Construction Memphré
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Calculatec Inc.
The House on the Cliff
Building on the rugged terrain required far more than a simple foundation; the structure had to follow the rocky topography. The technical challenge lay in articulating a fragmented volume on a steep slope, which demanded rigorous geotechnical coordination to ensure the building’s scale fit sensitively into its wooded environment.
This tension between protective opacity and targeted transparency is materialized through elongated horizontal openings that frame the forest like works of art, without compromising the thermal performance of the envelope, allowing the structure to engage in dialogue with the Estrie landscape rather than impose itself upon it.
A first level, directly accessible from the roadway, is thus perched above the garden level, which in turn provides direct access to the rock cliff exposed by the existing excavation. Upstairs, large living spaces open onto the region’s mountainous landscape from a vantage point overlooking the valley below.
These spaces then continue towards a plateau to the west, where they allow occupants to take advantage of the sunsets or settle in the screened-in veranda adjoining the living room. The eastern section of the first floor is, for its part, reserved for the owner’s bedroom suite, where the views are oriented on the rising sun.
The garden level accommodates guest bedrooms, storage spaces, and technical rooms, along with a large family room nestled into the rock cliff and opening onto the landscape below.
What We Love About This Home
The Owl’s Head House is a striking example of working with the land rather than against it, with every design decision shaped by the dramatic rocky terrain it sits on. The floor-to-ceiling glazing facing the valley ensures the landscape is never far from view, whether you’re cooking, dining, or soaking in the tub. Designed for a couple who will one day call it home full-time, the house is as thoughtfully planned for everyday living as it is for gathering the whole family.
Tell Us: What do you think of this cliffside home in Quebec? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other spectacular home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the province of Quebec: Black charred cedar creates a bold look for this Quebec lake house and Beautifully refreshed barn brings modern living to the Quebec countryside.
Floor-to-Ceiling Windows with Mountain Valley Views
Open-Plan Kitchen, Dining, and Living Room
Owner’s Bathroom with Freestanding Tub and Mountain Views
Sunset and Twilight Views of the Owl’s Head House
Floor Plan
PHOTOGRAPHER Vincent Brillant
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