Ferndale Cottage

Location: Muskoka, ON

Nestled along a wooded and rocky shoreline, Ferndale Cottage is a contemporary retreat that balances refined architectural expression with a deep respect for its natural setting. The project explores a careful dialogue between land, water and structure, creating a place of quiet retreat that feels both grounded and expansive.

The Cottage is organized as a series of precisely articulated volumes, strategically positioned to frame views of the lake while minimizing impact on the surrounding landscape. Cantilevered forms extend toward the water, creating moments of suspension and lightness, while anchoring elements, stone, concrete and dark cladding, root the building into the rugged terrain.

Large expanses of glazing dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the home and offering uninterrupted views of the lake and forest from nearly every space. Warm wood ceilings and finely detailed millwork provide a tactile counterpoint to the crisp, modern envelope, fostering a sense of warmth and comfort throughout the interior.

Spatially, the Cottage is designed to support both gathering and retreat. Open living spaces flow seamlessly onto covered terraces and outdoor rooms, encouraging year-round connection to the landscape, while more intimate spaces are tucked into the plan for rest and reflection. A strong emphasis on indoor-outdoor continuity allows the Cottage to respond naturally to seasonal change, whether it is opened up to the summer breezes or closed in for cozy winter warmth.

Structural Engineering: Blackwell Structural Engineers
Photography: James Morley; doublespace Photography 
Builder: TREA Building Systems Inc.
Millwork: Chervin
Senior Associate: Alisha Bishop