A cottage designed by Dubbeldam Architecture+ Design aims to accommodate multigenerational living. Located on a secluded peninsula along the Long Lake in the untamed nature of Ontario, the space makes for a perfect, all-season refuge for meetings with friends and family.
The clients, an urban couple who fell in love with Ontario’s wilderness, spent one year camping in the area before deciding to build a weekend home deep in the wilderness, elevated among the trees. The cottage is located below a pile of exposed bedrock and features two levels, making the most of the incredible lake and forest views while minimising environmental impact.
Bedrooms with a view of the forest
The lower level of the cottage is hidden from view. Full-height windows and entrances in each of the ground floor’s five bedrooms open directly into the forest. That way, the design achieves two seemingly irreconcilable goals: protecting privacy while also providing a direct link to the surrounding environment.
The main bedroom faces west and is fully open to the outdoors. The ensuite bathroom celebrates the clients’ love of camping with a fully functional outdoor shower. The cottage boasts a sixth bedroom and a bathroom on the second level, which is fully wheelchair accessible, allowing all family members equal access and the opportunity to experience the venue to the fullest.
Floating above the forest floor
The architects achieved the required illusion of “floating above the forest floor” by relocating all main living areas to the top level of the cottage. Boundaries between the outdoors and the indoors are further blurred by a wide-ranging wraparound window and sliding doors, both of which open to a spacious upper deck. The deck with west and south-facing exposures deepens the connection to the surrounding nature.
The open-plan living and dining area, with a cast-concrete heart, invites people to gather around a large 8-person table and an adjacent sofa. An additional storage and seating area is provided with a large built-in 17-foot-long window bench. The kitchen area is dominated by white oak millwork, combined with engineered stone backsplash and counters. Long Island, equipped with a bar sink and appropriate seating arrangement, also defines the kitchen space. The texture and warmth are achieved with a western hemlock board ceiling, which softens acoustics.
Stepping into the outdoor areas
The living area is connected to nature through two decks offset along the length of the cottage. The view from the main upper deck spans through the forest and all three sides of the lake. The outdoor fireplace echoes the concrete hearth inside, providing many open-air and dining opportunities even in the colder months, while retractable screens offer bug protection for a carefree experience. The lower deck is located on a bedrock outcropping beneath the upper floor.
Cold stones and winds from the lake keep the atmosphere pleasant and chill throughout the year. Considering the area doesn’t have a power transmitter, the extensive system of interconnected solar panels provides power to the space. Wood is used throughout the structure, mixing darker, greyed chedar and charcoal-stained finishes in the exterior and lighter shades of brush-finished oak and old rubbed hemlock on the inside.
Technical Sheet
Company: Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
Location: Muskoka, Canada
Size: 333s.m. / 3,580 sq. ft
Completion: 2025
Design team: Heather Dubbeldam, Andrew Snow, KrystalKramer
Photography: Riley Snelling
