Whistling Wind is a remote Canadian cottage retreat to reconnect with nature
Whistling Wind house is an elegant escape on a remote Ontario island that offers up a contemporary reinterpretation of the local vernacular
![Whistling Winds Cottage, Ontario, Canada](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5csmk8AqZsVgt5pzWmML9R-415-80.jpg)
Whistling Wind Island, located off the east coast of Georgian Bay in Pointe au Baril, Ontario, is so named because the wind here does indeed whistle. This is confirmed by Kelly Buffey, the co-founder of Toronto-based architecture studio AKB, which has recently completed a new-build house on the island, a summer escape for a family of three.
Tour the Whistling Wind retreat
When the family approached the practice about building their private retreat, they were downsizing from a much larger property in the area. One member is a kite surfer and a desire to be as close as possible to the water, alongside an overall wish for simplicity and a connection to nature, led them to purchase this islet on Lake Huron. On it, two existing structures hinted at the boundaries for what could be built in this sparsely inhabited, windswept part of the world.
While the area is a popular holiday spot, the architecture around Pointe au Baril is,on the whole, understated and modest, conceived so as not to detract from the natural landscape and to remain respectful of the existing vistas. Whistling Wind was also designed with this in mind, resulting in a quartet of small buildings that followthe style and footprints of the original structures on the site, as well as the local planning regulations for high water mark points, setbacks, volume and height.
All the docks had to be floating to accommodate the water rises on the lake. ‘It’s about living harmoniously with nature and respecting the mercurial weather patterns, which can change quickly from morning to afternoon, and throughout the seasons,’ says Buffey.
The largest of the island’s two docks flags the property’s primary arrival point. A small volume next to it serves as boat storage and home gym. From there, a gangway takes visitors to another rock outcropping with a large wooden deck that is cut out around an existing tree – one of the very few on the island, which is mostly made of Precambrian bedrock. The main house’s terrace is placed between this and a building housing a sauna. Meanwhile, a bridge leads to a guest house, or ‘bunkie’, as Buffey refers to it.
It all feels suitably humble, built low in cedar wood – clad in shingles externally and planks internally. Minimalism in lines, material palette and spirit prevail, and the architects’ attention to detail meant employing specialist craftsmanship from further afield. ‘Our approach was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of the site’s original cabins,’ says Buffey. ‘We referenced their traditional elements, but reimagined them. The gabled roofs are asymmetrical, appearing windswept in various directions, the cedar shingles cover both the roof and walls, the windows are carved inwards and become expansive voids capturing long views, and the fireplaces are grounding.’
The cottage contains two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a large lounge, kitchen and dining area, punctuated by a granite fireplace, while the guest volume has a similar set-up but is slightly smaller. The clients worked with Toronto interior designer Anne Hepfer on their furniture selection and overall decor.
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
The architects aimed for their work to sit lightly on the land, sourcing local materials and, as much as possible, having everything prefabricated or handcrafted (the latter often by necessity as bringing large construction equipment over from the mainland was tricky, particularly as the lake freezes over in winter). More sustainable additions include smart water management, no mechanical heating or cooling, and ‘greenifying’ parts of the site.
The result is a house that allows its users to feel like they are living within nature, their urban daily life a distant memory. Visible shoals beneath the lake surface, set against craggy outcrops, create an attractive holiday backdrop for leisurely pursuits, be they sport, relaxation, or entertaining friends and family. ‘It’s the kind of place that humbles you, reminding you of the power of nature,’ says Buffey.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealed
Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
A dramatic new lakeside cabin in the Canadian wilderness rises above the trees
Kariouk Architects' lakeside cabin ‘m.o.r.e. CLT’ explores new material approaches while making a minimal impact on a precious landscape
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Forest Retreat is a new low-energy family house in the forests of Ontario
Set beneath a vast roof, Forest Retreat is a rich mix of local materials, craftsmanship and space for an extended family to get together in the heart of nature
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Join the West Coast Modern Week's Home Tour 2024 for modernist architecture and more
West Coast Modern Week 2024 comes with its annual home tour courtesy of the West Vancouver Art Museum, offering an extensive, immersive showcase of Canada's modernist architecture
By Hadani Ditmars Published
-
A modernist lakeside cottage in Ontario provides a perfect backdrop for family vacations
A lakeside cottage by Canadian studio Dubbeldam Architecture + Design has been shaped as a modest multigenerational retreat to accommodate the surrounding wilderness
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Visit a cubic Canadian cabin in the woods: welcome to Rustic Grade
Maurice Martel has designed a contemporary cabin in the woods, Rustic Grade, to make the most of a sylvan plot to the north of Montreal
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A Whistler cabin offers a ‘transcendent experience’ to its occupants
Openspace Architecture’s Winterfell house is a Whistler cabin and luxurious contemporary ski retreat nestled within the forest
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A far-flung Nova Scotia retreat is a minimalist prefab exploration
Perched on the shores of Cape Breton Island this Nova Scotia retreat by Nicholas Fudge Architects combines prefabricated construction with traditional forms and minimal design
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Perron Design’s bespoke mountain retreat in Quebec is a house that thinks it’s a hotel
Chalet Bertha is a bespoke mountain retreat set at the top of Quebec’s famous Le Massif de Charlevoix resort, inspired by the interiors of the world’s best boutique hotels
By Jonathan Bell Published