In the spring our thoughts turn to quitting work & living in a continuous vacation party land or rather, cottage country. In 2006 we had the pleasure of renovating the most feared and iconic of the Muskoka cottages – The A-frame.
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How do you solve a problem like an A-frame? Most people tear them down but our client embraced all things A-frame. His goal was to triple the area of the existing cottage, without destroying the iconic shape of the original building.
Now, an A-frame is a very simple and strong shape. To try and mimic the shape is fraught with peril. To try and gentrify it is just really poor design. The solution had to be to let the old shape stay strong and add another simple shape to it.
The cottage, on an island in Muskoka, was oriented to take advantage of the view (surprise, surprise) and had a strong axis in the direction of the lake. The design solution was to create a new axis - “the axis of entertaining”-crossing the existing, sharing the same spectacular view.
This new “axis of entertaining”, a simple rectangular space, Includes the kitchen, dining, and living area. The kitchen stays in its original location but is enlarged and opens up to the living spaces. At its heart is a large island with stone countertop. The dining area bridges the old and new and it can be configured to accommodate any number of weekend visitors. A large sun room, bordered by a continuous bench and surrounded by glass, completes the common space. A two sided fireplace between the dining and sunroom areas acts as divider yet ties the rooms together.
We used site-built trusses - an important consideration when building on an island. The walls are exposed wood studs. Everything is painted white to tie it all together.
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| Photo Source: Construction Manager, Gadsby's of Gravenhurst |
Finally, the exterior finishes were replaced to unify the new addition with the existing structure. With an A-frame there really is only one exterior finish -- the roof. Careful colour choice of the new insulated metal roof on the A-frame and natural cedar shingle on the addition keep the cottage nestled in the trees.
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| Photo Source: Construction Manager, Gadsby's of Gravenhurst |
It was featured in “House & Home” magazine, September ’06. To see this artical please click HERE
