Q8 Residence – A Modern Minimalist Home in the Woods

Tucked into the forest at the base of a hill in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, the Q8 Residence designed by MRDK emerges as a serene retreat of modern design. With an east-west orientation, staggered volumes and a distinct fold at the center, this home bridges architecture and nature. Clad in white cedar shingles, warm larch vertical siding and board-formed concrete, it conceals a quiet northern façade toward the road and opens fully to the southern forest with generous glazing. Spanning approximately 3000 ft² (≈ 280 m²), the residence was completed in 2024 by contractor Est‑Ouest Construction. Every detail—from the entry carport to the indoor/outdoor lounge and spa pool—responds to this wooded setting and the needs of a modern family.

Where is the Home & Who Built It?

The Q8 Residence is located in the Quartier 8 development, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada.
Architect: MRDK.
Contractor: Est-Ouest Construction.
Area/Size: Approx. 3000 ft² (~280 m²).
Completion Year: 2024.

Architecture & Design Concept

The house is sited at the base of a hill, enveloped in a forest of birch, maple and pine. PLAIN Magazine+1 Its northern façade turns away from the road, presenting a closed volume with minimal openings for privacy and energy efficiency. Leibal+1 The structure stretches east-west and contains a “fold” at its midpoint, marking the carport linking the main house and storage volume. Leibal

A material palette of white cedar shingles, vertical larch siding and board-formed concrete create tactile contrast while responding to the forest setting. ArchDaily The southern side opens via large glazed windows, aligning interior living spaces with the outdoors.

Interior Layout & Living Spaces

Upon entry, you pass through a low-ceiling mudroom clad in the same larch siding used outside—this compression enhances the sense of release when entering the double-height living area. HomeWorldDesign The main floor includes kitchen, dining and lounge zones unified under soaring ceilings, with a direct visual connection to the outdoors. ArchDaily+1

The ground floor also houses the primary suite featuring bedroom, bath, gym and laundry, all contained in a single-floor volume for accessibility. This suite opens onto a semi-private terrace with an outdoor shower tucked behind a boulder unearthed during construction. ArchDaily

Upstairs contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms. A reading nook with built-in bookshelves overlooks the double-height space. In the children’s bedroom a custom bunk-bed with stairs replaces ladders—sleeping up to six.

Materials, Craft & Outdoor Connection

The materials are purposefully chosen for warmth and continuity: larch wood, stained pine veneer, white walls and lime-washed surfaces evoke a calming, natural atmosphere. Leibal The exterior-to-interior transition is seamless: the same woods appear inside and out, reinforcing craftsmanship and connection to place.

Outdoor living is integral: the screened porch on the eastern side captures morning light, the lounge territory with fireplace and spa/pool invites year-round use, and the large glazing ensures visual flow to the forest beyond.

Why the Q8 Residence Matters

• It demonstrates how a modern home can respect and respond to its forest context while achieving architectural clarity.

• The design balances privacy (closed façade to the road) with openness (glazed woodland side).

• Thoughtful spatial planning supports both family living and retreat-like qualities.

• It uses a restrained, high-quality material palette to stitch interior/exterior together and evoke warmth.

• Its size (~3000 ft²) means it remains modest in scale yet generous in experience.

Conclusion – A Contemporary Family Retreat in Quebec

The Q8 Residence by MRDK is a masterclass in contemporary residential design that honours its wooded environment, material integrity and modern living needs. Nestled in Mont-Tremblant’s Quartier 8, this ~3000 ft² home completed in 2024 rises as a calm, refined retreat for family, nature and architecture alike. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for forest-edge homes, material palettes or modern simplicity, this project is well worth studying.

Discover more images and details via the original project page.