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Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View from the road: A single, low-slung black roof covers both cedar-clad volumes, peeled back at the top for the installation of a series of clerestory windows that welcome sunlight and gentle breezes into the heart of the home.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View from the driveway: Deep overhangs extend from the sloped black zinc roof that serve as shelter as one roams the exterior edges of the cottage. The clerestorey windows peel and bend from the roof form, cracking open to allow light to filter through, illuminating and revealing the exposed structure and the quality of the natural materials.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
Between the garage and main living spaces, a screened Muskoka Room creates an open-air retreat. This architectural break offers visitors their first glimpse of the lake view, previously hidden by the building's placement—a subtle preview of the vistas beyond.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
Nestled within a maple grove, sensitively situated on the rugged and steep terrain of the Canadian Shield, the form of the cottage takes its cue from these two elements by straddling the natural slope of the site and inflecting to embrace the grove and face the lake.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
Lake-facing bedrooms open to private balconies, while the lower level leads to a terrace where a landscaped limestone stair leads down to the lakeshore.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View from the lake: By day, the angular structure provides deliberate contrast to its organic setting, allowing for visitors to read that landscape against the neutral silhouette while carefully positioned "viewfinders" frame specific natural moments: Some bathe the interior in sunlight, other frame specific trees, and some overlook sunrises, grounding the home in its rugged setting.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View from Muskoka Room: Artist Victoria Fard's intricate light pattern in cedar panels adds warmth to the double-height space.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View from Muskoka Room: Artist Victoria Fard's intricate light pattern in cedar panels adds warmth to the double-height space.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
The living room features a double-sided fireplace, with a grand stone chimney adding aesthetic beauty as it rises through the levels of the structure to the exterior. From the exterior: the chimney marks the division between the house proper and the outdoor Muskoka Room.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
The living room features a double-sided fireplace, with a grand stone chimney adding aesthetic beauty as it rises through the levels of the structure to the exterior.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
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Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
Nested Volumes: A simple shell defined by its traditional roof pitch and deep overhangs, creates a tall volume within which smaller volumes, housing the cottage's various functions, are nested.The exposed douglas fir joists that frame the roof and are exposed as the clerestory windows peel away from the roof.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
The lower level was thoughtfully designed for social interactions, with an open floor plan that includes a kitchen, living room, and dining room, all offering lake views courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows.Vase on dining table Provided by Hollace Cluny hollacecluny.com
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View to the kitchen on the lower-ground floor: There exists an architectural dialogue between the built and natural elements that extends through material choices in the interior - from hand-painted cement to whitewashed pine - creating a contemporary retreat that maintains essential connections to its wild context.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
While offering modern comforts, the cottage celebrates simple living and natural connections - Here, guests find refuge from city life, reconnecting with nature and themselves.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
The open living space seamlessly connects kitchen, dining, and living areas in a natural flow. The staircase with open white oak treads follows a gentle slope for a slower pace. The adjacent wall is finished in hand-painted cement tile that extends from the lowest level upward, that both guides circulation and connects the floors.Vase on dining table Provided by Hollace Cluny hollacecluny.com
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
The lower level features an autonomous primary bedroom suite, designed for privacy and convenience when the clients are at the cottage without family or visitors.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View of the master ensuite: Hand-painted cement tiles create a rich textural pattern across the heated floor. A contemporary interpretation of traditional cottage beadboard adorns the lower half of the closet doors, while offset door handles offer both whimsy and practicality, preventing pinched fingers.
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Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
Bold Josef Frank florals enliven the drapery and upholstery. The artful mix of patterns adds depth and character to the bedroom.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
Mismatched Josef Frank floral fabrics are used for the drapery and headboards, their playful mismatched patterns bringing warmth and visual texture to the spaces.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
Shield and Shelter: An Embracing Lakeside Family Retreat that Opens Intimately and Sensitively to its Untamed Surroundings in the Heart of the Muskoka Region
Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect Inc. (BVT A)
View from the loft: A dramatic floor-to-ceiling stone chimney marks the division between the house proper and the outdoor Muskoka Room and anchors the double-height space.
Photo credit:
Doublespace
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