Acton Island Boathouse

Location: Muskoka, ON

Set along the rocky shoreline of Acton Island, this contemporary Boathouse is carefully embedded within the site, responding to both the topography of the land and the ever-changing Lake Muskoka. The Boathouse serves as an extension of Cottage life, offering spaces for gathering, retreat, and connection to the water.

The building is composed of stacked volumes, minimizing the visual impact from the lake. Large expanses of glazing are used to frame lake vistas, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior, and allowing the water and surrounding forest to become an integral part of the experience. Deep overhangs provide shelter from the sun and weather.

Materiality is durable, elected to weather gracefully in the lakeside environment. Warm wood soffits and interiors contrast with darker exterior cladding, grounding the building within the landscape and echoing the tones of the surrounding Canadian shield.

Structural Engineering: Blackwell Structural Engineers
Photography: James Morley; doublespace Photography 
Builder: TREA Building Systems Inc.
Interior Design: Arriz + Co.
Millwork: Goosen Inc.
Senior Associate: Steve Cho