Simple warm design boathouse in Ontario

This lovely house is located on the Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada (approx. 170 km North of Toronto, Canada). It’s a serene and calm home, with a simple and warm design. However, it also has a very distinctive feature. It’s not like any other house. Instead, this is a boathouse. It’s a seasonal residence that sits on the lake and enjoys its beautiful and calm location while also benefiting from unique views.

The house was a project by Christopher Simmonds Architect and it was completed in the fall of 2007. the architects didn’t really build the house from scratch. Instead, they were hired to renovate and restore an existing boathouse and a second storey guest suite. The house is situated at the end of a narrow bay. The client requested a modern and fresh look for the boathouse and a design that would also maximize the beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding landscape.

In order to meet the client’s requirements, the architects had to make some changes. For example, a new exterior staircase had to be added in order to connect the lower deck and the second level roof terrace. The terrace is facing south west and it’s used as a central outdoor gathering space. The second storey of the house is a sleeping cabin that includes one bedroom and a three piece washroom, a kitchenette and a connected living space. The new design is minimalist and the renovation included the use of rustic materials.{pics by Peter Fritz Photography and found on archdaily}.