# Naturally Lit Minimalist Houses Naturehumaine Converts Two Apartments into a Single Family Home By Tiffany | Published 2013-12-17 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naturehumaine References: [archdaily](http://www.archdaily.com/451013/lajeunesse-residence-naturehumaine/) A young Canadian couple enlisted Quebec-based architecture and design firm Naturehumaine to completely renovate and reorganize the interior of the house built by the client’s grandfather. Lajeunesse Residence, meaning youth residence; is the combination of two existing apartments into a [two story family house](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-ordinary-house). The house has a simple palette scheme of steel plates, Russian plywood, white wood and glass. The result is an incredibly modern, bright and minimalist design that retains a cozy and homey atmosphere. The ground floor features semi-transparent sliding doors that separate the living space from the streets below for additional privacy. In order to bring more direct sunlight to the main living space of the house, a double height light-well is suited with a skylight illuminating both floors. For additional lighting, two converging steel bars are suspended above the Russian plywood dining table. A plywood staircase fitted with glass handrails connects the two floors together. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.6/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Minimalism:** There is an opportunity to offer sustainable minimalist design as a cost-effective solution for modern housing. - **Biophilic Design:** Integrating natural elements into design can enhance well-being and provide connections to the environment. - **Smart Lighting:** Incorporating skylights and other sources of natural light can create innovative and cost-effective lighting solutions. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture:** Design firms can utilize sustainable minimalist and biophilic design approaches in their projects. - **Real Estate:** Real estate developers can market sustainable and nature-inspired living spaces to appeal to the modern homebuyer. - **Lighting Design:** Smart lighting companies can explore innovative approaches for bringing natural light into homes and buildings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Discrete Lakeside Modern Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/palissade.md) - [Bright Family Renovation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cobble-hill-townhouse.md) - [Family-Oriented Apartment Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/triplex-fabre.md) - [Natural Light-Centric Timber Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huron-house.md) - [Renovated Parisian Flats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hauvette-madani.md) - [Compact Madrid Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burr-studio-1.md) - [Refined Modern Dwellings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silver-house.md) - [Contemporary Mountainous Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountainous-home.md) - [Lofty Minimalist Living Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-living-space1.md)