A Muskoka Cottage Blends Architecture With the Canadian Shield

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In the heart of Ontario’s Muskoka region, a new family cottage by Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect (BVT A) redefines what it means to live closely with nature. Designed for a multi-generational family, the four-bedroom, three-level retreat blends into its rugged surroundings while providing intimate spaces for gathering, unwinding, and connecting by the lake.

Set within a maple grove and perched on the steep terrain of the Canadian Shield, the cottage was conceived to respect the site’s natural slope and vegetation. Instead of reshaping the land, the design gently adapts to its contours – nestling into the hillside and angling toward both the forest and the water. The sensitive placement not only minimizes environmental impact but also ensures every level of the home offers a unique perspective of the landscape.

A modern building with a dark metal sloped roof, tall windows, and stone chimney, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage.

The exterior pairs Shou Sugi Ban cedar cladding with a low, sloped black zinc roof that stretches across two main volumes: one housing the primary living spaces, the other containing a garage and an upper-level gym. Between them lies an open-air Muskoka Room – a flexible gathering area enclosed by motorized screens when needed – that frames the lake in a dramatic way for arriving visitors.

Modern two-story house with large windows and dark wood exterior, surrounded by autumn trees and a rocky, leaf-covered hillside.

“The warmth of the wood balances out the coolness of the metal,” says Barbora Vokac Taylor of the cottage’s exterior aesthetic. “And, with time, the materials will naturally and gracefully age and develop a natural patina to add to its story. I think that anticipation for the future form is an exciting thread that the family will follow as time passes and the family grows.

Modern house with large windows and dark siding partially obscured by trees with red and green autumn foliage. Warm interior lights are visible through the windows.

The homeowners wanted a year-round retreat that could welcome their extended family now, and continue serving as a “family campus” for future generations. BVT A responded with a layout that balances private retreats with expansive social areas. The upper level houses the children’s bedrooms, a study, a guest suite, and a tucked-away loft hideout accessible by ladder that’s perfect for imaginative play. The lower level features the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas oriented toward panoramic lake views, plus the primary suite for when the owners visit alone. Lastly, the basement level is the recreation center of the home with a theater, sauna, wet bar, and walkout access to a Japanese-inspired onsen spa sheltered by cedar ceilings and concrete privacy walls.

A modern living room with geometric wooden wall panels, large windows overlooking trees, and a small black cabin outside on a deck.

Modern living space with geometric wooden wall lights, contemporary furniture, and a view of a terrace overlooking trees and a lake at dusk.

Throughout the cottage, carefully placed “viewfinder” windows frame specific snapshots of the surrounding wilderness – an individual maple tree, the rippling water, or a sunlit rock face. These moments shift with the seasons, making the home feel in constant dialogue with its environment.

A modern living room with a tall stone fireplace, orange sectional sofa, round wooden coffee table, and large windows letting in natural light.

A modern living room with a stone fireplace, brown leather sectional, round wooden coffee table, and white rug on a concrete floor.

Modern open-concept living space with high ceilings, large windows, wooden accents, and minimalist furniture. Stairs lead to an upper loft area.

Modern kitchen and dining area with wooden ceiling, large windows, white cabinets, pendant lights, and a wooden table with bench seating. Natural light fills the space.

Modern kitchen with a large island, three stools, a whole fish and lemons on a cutting board, green patterned tile backsplash, open shelves, and built-in ovens.

Large windows in a modern living room overlook a lake and trees with autumn foliage; sunlight streams into the minimal, furnished interior.

Summer living flows seamlessly outdoors, with floor-to-ceiling glass and screened openings that blur the boundaries between inside and out. In cooler months, the double-sided stone fireplace becomes the home’s glowing centerpiece, while the cedar and concrete materials develop a weathered patina that deepens the connection between structure and setting.

Modern open-concept interior with floating wood staircase, patterned green stair wall, dining area with wooden table and chairs, and a kitchen with large windows.

A modern bedroom with a yellow upholstered bed, wooden nightstand, hanging light bulb, and a view into a hallway with patterned tile floor and white walls.

Modern bathroom with black and white patterned floor, minimalist cabinets, open wooden shelving with neatly folded towels, and a round vessel sink on a dark vanity.

A neatly made bed with a pink blanket, a teddy bear, and cushions is next to a window with floral curtains, overlooking green trees outside. A round light hangs above a small bedside shelf.

Modern interior with light wood floors, white walls, a stone accent wall, and a sloped ceiling with exposed wooden beams; staircase leads to an entry area with a wooden door.

The home’s proportions encourage a slower pace – most notably in the staircase, which uses an outdoor rise-to-run ratio indoors to create a subtle, calming effect.

Light wood-paneled interior wall with two open doorways, green tiled half-wall in foreground, and view of trees through windows in the background.

Minimalist gym room with slanted wooden ceiling, mirrored wall, and two racks of kettlebells along opposite walls. Natural light enters from angled windows.

BVT A’s material palette combines warm woods, zinc roofing, and poured concrete, chosen both for their durability and their ability to age gracefully. Exposed Douglas fir joists, whitewashed pine interiors, and hand-painted cement tiles lend texture and tactility to the spaces. Over time, these elements will weather and tell the story of the family residing there.

Modern house with dark wood siding and concrete foundation, featuring two narrow vertical windows, surrounded by trees and rocks in a natural landscape.

Modern house with black vertical siding and concrete stilts, featuring small balconies and large windows, surrounded by trees and rocks.

A modern outdoor space with concrete walls, wooden ceiling and bench, and a shower fixture, surrounded by greenery and rocks.

Interior of a wooden sauna with a large window offering a view of trees and a lake outside.

Whether arriving by boat or car, the cottage offers a sense of coziness. At night, a parametric cedar panel designed in collaboration with artist Victoria Fard casts a flickering pattern reminiscent of firelight, making the Muskoka Room glow like a lantern across the water.

Modern house with black siding and large windows, set among trees with autumn foliage; warm lights illuminate part of the wooden facade.

A modern cabin with a dark sloped roof is situated in a forest with tall trees and autumn foliage, overlooking a lake in the background.

A black-roofed house is nestled among colorful autumn trees near the edge of a lake, viewed from above.

Aerial view of a house surrounded by dense, colorful autumn trees next to a body of water, with a dock extending from the shore.

For more, information on Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect, please visit bvtarchitect.com.

Photography by Doublespace, courtesy of v2com.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.





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