Inspired by Philip Johnson’s iconic Glass House and the unforgettable Ben Rose House from the film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, this striking modern pool house near Montreal, Quebec, brings a touch of Hollywood into the Canadian landscape. Designed by Maurice Martel architecte, the pavilion was conceived as a space that could be enjoyed all year, no matter how extreme the weather outside.
At first glance, it feels almost cinematic. Walls of glass are framed in black steel, creating a bold silhouette against the surrounding garden. The structure stands like a transparent jewel, offering uninterrupted views in every direction. In winter, when snow blankets the ground and temperatures plunge, the owner can still slip into the pool and swim laps in complete comfort.
Inside, the design balances openness with atmosphere. Skylights draw natural light down from above, brightening the space even during shorter winter days. A deck runs alongside the pool with designated areas for lounging, while planters filled with lush tropical plants of varying heights soften the modern lines and introduce texture and color. Together, the greenery and glass create the feeling of an oasis tucked within a garden, even when frost gathers outside.
The architecture itself enhances that sense of immersion. With 360 degree glazing, the boundary between interior and exterior almost disappears. The black exterior structure contrasts sharply with the bright, light filled interior, giving the roof the impression of floating above the transparent walls.
Near one corner of the pool house, a cylindrical volume interrupts the pavilion’s orthogonal lines. This sculptural element houses the bathroom, and it quickly becomes the visual focal point of the space. Wrapped in red cedar, the curved structure introduces warmth to the otherwise crisp interior. A wood bench curves around one side, inviting quiet moments before or after a swim.
An almost hidden door reveals a circular bathroom lined in white penny tiles. The shift from the open glass pavilion to this intimate, rounded room is deliberate and dramatic. Above the shower, a circular skylight mirrors the shape of the space, allowing natural light to pour down from the ceiling. The effect is both serene and unexpected, reinforcing the bathroom’s status as a design statement rather than a simple utility room.
The details continue to follow the theme of curves and cohesion. A curved pedestal vanity sits beneath a rounded edge mirror, while a toilet is discreetly positioned within the circular layout. On the floor, grey penny tiles with white grout complement the grey large format tiles used throughout the rest of the pool house, ensuring that even the smallest elements feel considered and connected.
By blending modernist inspiration with practical year round design, Maurice Martel architecte has created a pool house that feels as dramatic as its Hollywood references and as grounded as the landscape around it.