A curved glass-brick screen, double-height living spaces and generous outdoor areas bring light, intimacy and calmness to this urban home
Photography by Raphaël Thibodeau
In Montreal’s vibrant Villeray neighbourhood, MU Architecture has designed The Lens, a 5,910 sq ft family home that puts simplicity, privacy and connection to nature at its heart. Completed in July 2026, the home draws on Japanese minimalism and feng shui to create a remarkable home, characterised by filtered daylight and a natural flow between indoors and out.
Replacing a house that no longer met the family’s needs, the project began with a blank slate. Its constrained urban site, bordered by a street to the south and alleys to the east and north, demanded privacy without sacrificing daylight. The architects also preserved an existing white spruce, integrating it into the wider landscape design.
Central to the design is a curved glass-brick wall that snakes around the front corner. It diffuses southern light while blurring views from the street, lending the facade a translucent quality reminiscent of traditional Japanese shoji screens. After dark, the glass-brick wall allows interior light to spill softly onto the street.
Photography by Raphaël Thibodeau
Beige concrete brick volumes, softened by alternating sharp and rounded edges, establish a restrained exterior. Inside, walnut, porcelain and brushed brass bring warmth to minimalist spaces. The ground floor centres on an open-plan kitchen, dining room and living area, drawing the eye upwards and allowing light to travel between floors. A covered veranda extends the family’s living areas towards a garden of grasses and perennials, with a dark-bottomed pool reflecting the sky.
A floating white steel staircase with glass balustrades connects the floors, allowing daylight to travel down from the roof. Upstairs, the children’s bedrooms and primary suite occupy more private territory, while a mezzanine office overlooks the living room. A rooftop lounge and terrace offer an additional outdoor space to relax.
Throughout, the layout distinguishes shared family life from quieter spaces for work, rest and guests. By balancing robust materials with filtered light and a close relationship with nature, The Lens offers a contemporary interpretation of domestic tranquillity in the city.
Get a curated collection of design and architecture news in your inbox by signing up to our ICON Weekly newsletter
Photography by Raphaël Thibodeau
Photography by Raphaël Thibodeau
