dubbeldam’s rustic cottage in canadian woodlands unfolds within two intersecting gables

a contemporary twist on the A-frame, two split volumes curate distinct views and elevations while evoking layers of shale rocks found across the site.

ravail khan May 10, 2024 4 min

bunkie on the hill is a contemporary twist on the a-frame

A serene respite in the treetops, Bunkie on the Hill finds itself shrouded in woodland foliage in the heart of Ontario’s Muskoka region. Conceived by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design as a quintessential Canadian cottage, the residence is a contemporary interpretation of the traditional A-frame, differentiated by shifted roof volumes evoking the textural layers of shale rocks found across the site. The two intersecting gables, pulled apart and of varying height, curate distinct views and elevations; a tall, narrow, glazed facade overlooks the lake, while a wider, more opaque elevation faces the forest, carved with a cut out for a covered entrance.

In dialogue with its environment, the rustic structure is infused with abundant natural light, views, and wrapped in natural materials, its gray-stained wood elevation transitioning into cedar slat screens and oak flooring within. Ensuring minimal impact on its natural site while eliminating the need for invasive blasting, it rests on a foundation that follows the contours of the rocky topography.

dubbeldam's rustic cottage in canadian woodlands unfolds across two split gables — all images by Riley Snelling

dubbeldam tucks the home in the serenity of the treetops

A narrow walkway leads to Bunkie on the Hill’s entrance along its side, flanked by a slatted cedar screen which gently filters light through its openings. At each end, the passage frames views of the tree trunks, echoing their raw materiality. Bringing the serenity of the outdoors in, the team at Dubbeldam ensures that all areas of the compact interior embrace vistas of the surrounding forest or lake. The upper loft area looks down to the living space on the first level and the lake beyond, while the bedroom at the rear enjoys views of the forest through a vast window.

Accentuating this relationship, natural materials feature throughout. Greyed wood siding contrasts the cedar soffits and screen that frames the entrance, sitting atop the raw, board-formed concrete base. Interior materials include oak flooring, maple plywood, and cedar cladding, grounded by dark charcoal window frames, grey stone counters, and furniture that inject playful moments of colour. A variety of FSC-rated wood species were used to differentiate the various planes in the space — white wallboard defines the interior perimeter walls, internal partitions are clad in maple plywood, and the ceiling is delineated by Western red cedar slats.

a natural material palette and passive insulation

Infusing sustainable measures, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design thickened exterior walls to serve as a passive insulator — bearing an R-value of over 40 — and including triple-glazed windows that enable the use of a minimal heating system in the crawl space below. Flitch beams were utilized to eliminate any thermal bridges, despite the use of steel framing, while the few plumbing and light fixtures are low flow and low energy.