The owners of this Archipelago island cottage had a charming, but rustic one-storey cottage held up on cinder blocks that they purchased in the 1980s. They had run hydro along the lake bed and taken great care of the old structure, but they were tired of the upkeep and the lack of space and comforts for their growing family, and were seriously considering selling. Their adult children begged them not to give up the private island that had been the setting of so many incredible memories, so they made the ambitious choice to tear down the old building and rebuild something brand new.

The owners approached Altius with a vision for a spacious, contemporary cottage that would accommodate three generations, and where they as a couple could comfortably stay for the entire boating season in Georgian Bay. The final design only deviated slightly from their original cruciform sketch that took advantage of water views to both the West and East and a rock formation to the North. The new building sits atop the original cottage footprint to limit the number of mature trees that were removed. The master suite was situated in the East arm of the cruciform, the double-height living room to the North, the two-storey screen porch to the West, and the guest rooms to the South, all topped by a loft with sitting room and bunk space for the grandkids - with custom bunkbeds still to come.

A glulam timber structure spans lofty spaces with warm Douglas Fir structural decking exposed at the ceilings and non-structural planks cladding most of the walls. Skylights slice into the vaulted roof at several critical locations to bring natural light further into the interiors.

The oversized kitchen with a generous island sits at the centre of the cottage, with plenty of space for the family to come together to cook, chat, and eat. A bi-folding window articulates back to connect the kitchen directly to the screen porch. A wraparound deck off the living spaces allows users to move with the sun and wind to find the most comfortable place to sit outside, though the screen porch is the fan favourite. With its view overlooking a busy boating channel, there is always something to see. The wise decision to install a system of sliding vinyl and screen windows allows the room to be useable no matter the weather.

The project was not without its challenges, as the design process kicked off at the start of the pandemic, with a masked boat ride to the site, and Zoom meetings to review models and drawings. The price of lumber skyrocketed with supply chain shut-downs, and the island setting meant that construction had to halt over two winter seasons when boats needed to be pulled from the icy water. The owners' patience and dedication paid off, with a stunning 3-season home for their family, containing quiet areas to escape the hubbub, and grand spaces to gather as a group. The expansive aluminum-clad Fir windows frame the incredible natural setting. An oversized wood-burning fireplace, clad in Muskoka ledgestone, anchors the living room and creates a cozy atmosphere when dramatic summer storms race across the water.