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)
Throughout the cottage, BVTA has woven in various “viewfinders”: windows that fix a certain view: Some bathe the interior in sunlight, others frame specific trees, and some overlook sunrises, grounding the home in its rugged setting.
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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)
Mirrors line one wall of the fitness room above the garage, capturing natural light from the opposite clerestory windows and highlighting the exposed Douglas fir joists. The wandering shadows bring the space to life - each hour offering a new and unique atmosphere.
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 of covered spa area at basement level: Warm wood softens harder materials like concrete and zinc. As the exposed surfaces weather naturally, they create a living chronicle of the family's story across generations.
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 ruggedness of the terrain is offset by the clean detailing of the exteriors. Externally, Shou Sugi Ban cedar walls and sloped black zinc roofs form a distinct silhouette against the landscape.
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 Sauna towards the lake: The cottage stands in contrast to its natural setting. Carefully framed views of the landscape connect the modern spaces to their surroundings.
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 lowest-level, a basement walkout, includes a sauna and wet bar. Just outdoors, a covered hot tub sits below the overhang with a cedar-clad ceiling, surrounded by trees and nestled into the landscape. Architectural poured concrete walls both support the structure above and screen off the space for privacy, while framing views of the surrounding forest and lake.
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)
Seeking to anchor the cottage into its rugged context, BVTA allowed its form to follow the contours carefully revealing glimpses of the lake as you approach.These views briefly vanish upon entry, only to reappear as you venture further into the cosy retreat.
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)
A subtle inflection of the roof: The clerestories peel up from the slope of the roof, allowing fresh air and natural light to pass through.
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 - bunkie in the distance: Clean exterior lines contrast with the rugged landscape, while inside, textured cedar walls fold and split revealing lights that both invite and highlight the raw materials.
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)
Embracing the Canadian Shield's natural topography, the cottage is embedded within existing grade variations. The cottage sits level and true, marking the surrounding landscape’s descent from peak to lake and setting a steady benchmark against the ancient terrain.
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)
Set among maples on the dramatic Canadian Shield, the cottage's design responds to its environment, spanning the slope of the terrain and orienting itself to capture both forest and water views
Photo credit:
Doublespace
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
The four keynote talks at Human/Nature 2025 will be delivered by Indigenous Canadian architect David Fortin; industrial designers Pearson Lloyd; architects WORKac; and landscape architect Lisa Switkin, of Field Operations.
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AZURE MEDIA
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
Lisa Switkin, partner at New York’s Field Operations – designers of such projects as Domino Park and Presidio Tunnel Tops – will deliver a keynote talk at Human/Nature 2025.
Photo credit:
Field Operations
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
Lisa Switkin, partner at New York’s Field Operations – designers of such projects as Domino Park and Presidio Tunnel Tops – will deliver a keynote talk at Human/Nature 2025.
Photo credit:
Field Operations
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
Lisa Switkin, partner at New York’s Field Operations – designers of such projects as Domino Park and Presidio Tunnel Tops – will deliver a keynote talk at Human/Nature 2025.
Photo credit:
Field Operations
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
The Cross Chair, for Takt, demonstrates Pearson Lloyd’s approach to material minimization and innovation. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.Profim is a seating system designed for ease of disassembly, capturing Pearson Lloyd’s circular approach to industrial design. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.
Photo credit:
Pearson Lloyd
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
The Cross Chair, for Takt, demonstrates Pearson Lloyd’s approach to material minimization and innovation. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.Profim is a seating system designed for ease of disassembly, capturing Pearson Lloyd’s circular approach to industrial design. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.
Photo credit:
Pearson Lloyd
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
The Cross Chair, for Takt, demonstrates Pearson Lloyd’s approach to material minimization and innovation. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.Profim is a seating system designed for ease of disassembly, capturing Pearson Lloyd’s circular approach to industrial design. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.
Photo credit:
Pearson Lloyd
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
The Cross Chair, for Takt, demonstrates Pearson Lloyd’s approach to material minimization and innovation. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.Profim is a seating system designed for ease of disassembly, capturing Pearson Lloyd’s circular approach to industrial design. Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson are keynote speakers at Human/Nature 2025.
Photo credit:
Pearson Lloyd
AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
Sustainable Workspaces is a co-working office project crafted with natural materials and existing infrastructure designed by U.K. firm Material Works Architecture. Co-founder Dickon Hayward is speaking on a panel on the future of interiors at Human/Nature 2025.
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Sustainable Workspaces
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AZURE’s Human/Nature conference connects the dots between climate adaptation and community engagement
AZURE
Sustainable Workspaces is a co-working office project crafted with natural materials and existing infrastructure designed by U.K. firm Material Works Architecture. Co-founder Dickon Hayward is speaking on a panel on the future of interiors at Human/Nature 2025.
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Sustainable Workspaces
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
6th floor entrance
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
One Bear Mountain, BC: Reinventing Without Demolishing
ACDF architecture - Zeidler architecture
Photo credit:
Adrien Williams
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