AN ISLAND RETIREMENT CUT OFF FROM THE WORLD IN CANADA
The architecture firm Akb designed cottages like no other on Whistling Wind Island, one of the most remote islands from Pointe-au-Baril, located on the east coast of Georgian Bay in Ontario.
Whistling Wind Island demonstrates how architecture can integrate with even the most challenging landscapes. This seasonal resort, designed by Akb, is located in Pointe-au-Baril, three hours north of Toronto, in the heart of a region known for its unpredictable weather and fluctuating water levels. "This area is known for its numerous Precambrian rocky archipelagos scattered along the Georgian Bay coast, forming narrow waterways that even experienced boaters find difficult to navigate," the architects explain. Morning sunshine can turn into afternoon hailstorms. For the owner of these cottages, the region is therefore an ideal place to indulge his passion for kitesurfing.
IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
This collection of cottages comprises four structures, all sized to fit the island's one acre, or 4,046 square meters. The main cottage, measuring 167 square meters, sits at the highest point. It features two bedrooms, an en-suite bathroom, a kitchen, a dining room, and a living room with a fireplace wall made of local Muskoka granite slabs. The building also houses a sauna and a small fitness room in a converted boathouse, connected by wooden walkways.
The 90-square-meter bunkie is a smaller version of the chalet, designed for four people, offering two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. At its center, a large stone fireplace separates the rooms from a kitchenette, which includes a desk and a sitting area.
All these structures are clad in silver cedar shingles that blend into the surrounding rocks, sometimes making them indistinguishable depending on the light.
NATURAL MATERIALITY
The owner's vision and the work of the Akb firm on this remote island have successfully met the challenges of sustainable construction. The two main residences are built on the original footprints of the pre-existing structures. For the chalet, triple-glazed glass walls, recessed windows in the facade, and overhangs carved into the building's mass ensure natural thermal control, reducing solar heat gain.
Similarly, wood-burning fireplaces eliminate the need for mechanical backup systems, saving energy. Water conservation also plays a significant role, with low-flow plumbing fixtures and an outdoor shower that utilizes lake water. "Georgian Bay itself serves as a 'bathtub,'" the agency notes.
As for the lighting, the design of the light fixtures mimics the appearance of candles to better preserve the natural beauty of the night sky.
SEASONAL PROTECTION
The sturdy construction of the houses withstands extreme weather conditions, while the size and warmth of the interiors offer a cozy refuge. Large windows allow for unobstructed views of the summer storms that characterize Pointe-au-Baril.
As the Akb firm points out, the vacation season there is short, ending in November when ice forms on the lake. At that time, the buildings are protected: the built-in aluminum doors are lowered to cover the windows and the floating docks are removed from the water.
This island retreat combines efficient and thoughtful design with natural and sustainable materials, embracing the radical nature and elemental forces of this wildly beautiful region.
AKB.CA
