AN INSULINATED, WORLD-CLOSED RETREAT IN CANADA
The Akb architectural firm has designed cottages like no other on Whistling Wind Island, one of the most remote of Pointe-au-Baril's islands, located on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay in Ontario.

Whistling Wind Island demonstrates how architecture can be integrated into the most radical landscapes. This seasonal complex, designed by the Akb agency, is located in Pointe-au-Baril, three hours north of Toronto, in the heart of a region faced with unpredictable weather conditions and fluctuating water levels. "This location is known for its many Precambrian rock archipelagos scattered along the Georgian Bay coast, forming narrow waterways that even experienced boaters find difficult to navigate," explain the architects. Morning sunshine can turn into afternoon hailstorms. For the owner of these cottages, the region is an ideal place to enjoy his passion for kitesurfing.
IN TUNE WITH NATURE
This cottages complex comprises four structures, all sized to fit the island's one-acre size of 4,046 square meters. The 167-square-meter main cottage is located at the highest point. It has two bedrooms, an en suite bathroom, a kitchen, a dining room and a living room with a fireplace wall made of slabs of local Muskoka granite. The building also houses a sauna and a small fitness room in boat storage, linked 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 ashlar fireplace separates the rooms from a kitchenette, with a desk and 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 desire and Akb's work on this remote island have succeeded in meeting the challenges of sustainable construction. Both main residences are built on the original footprints of pre-existing structures. In the case of the chalet, triple-glazed glass walls, recessed façade windows and overhangs carved into the building mass ensure natural thermal control, reducing solar heat gain.
Similarly, wood-burning fireplaces eliminate the need for mechanical back-up systems, saving energy consumption. Water conservation plays an equally important role, with low-flow plumbing fixtures and an outdoor shower that takes advantage of lake water. "Georgian Bay itself serves as a 'bathtub'," the agency points out.
As for lighting, the design of the fixtures mimics the appearance of candles to better preserve the natural beauty of the night sky.
SEASONAL PROTECTION
The solidity of the dwellings withstands extreme weather conditions, while the size and warmth of the interiors provide a cozy refuge. The large windows provide a serene view of the summer storms that characterize Pointe-au-Baril.
As the Akb firm points out, the vacation season here is short-lived, ending in November when ice forms on the lake. At this time, the buildings are protected: aluminum flush-mounted doors are lowered to cover the windows, and floating docks are removed from the water.
This island retreat thus combines effective, thoughtful design with natural, sustainable materials, embracing the radical nature and elemental forces of this ruggedly beautiful region.
AKB.CA