On a small, secluded island in Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, a family home designed by Bureau Tempo and Thom Fougere Studio has been built. Pine Island Cottage is laid out along the natural slope of the land, allowing the successive spaces of the house to descend gently down the rocky hillside.
The design is primarily geared towards spending time together. The central area comprises the kitchen, dining room, living room with a fireplace and a covered terrace. The private bedrooms are situated higher up, offering the residents greater privacy.
A house shaped by the landscape
A small oak door handle, reminiscent of a pebble found on the lakeshore, leads into the house. Behind it lies a low, softly lit entrance area. Further in, the interior gradually opens up – the floors drop lower and lower, the ceiling heights rise, and the space leads to the main part of the house.
At the heart of the interior is the kitchen, featuring a large island made of fieldstone. It is flanked by a larder, a bar and a small breakfast nook. The fitted units are made of white oak, walnut and limestone, whilst the furnishings – from ceramics and tableware to cutlery and textiles – have been carefully selected.
The larder takes the form of a small shop or market stall. The produce remains on display, whilst special trays make it easy to carry ingredients, coffee or drinks between the larder, the kitchen and the adjoining tin-clad bar.
“The island shaped the design at every stage. The kitchen and its island have become not only an experiment with materials, but above all a functional meeting place,” says Thom Fougere.
Living room with a fireplace
Behind the kitchen stands a heavy solid-wood table with a matching bench. The piece juts out towards the sunken living room, the centrepiece of which is a fireplace made from the same stone as the kitchen island.
The double-sided fireplace is one of the most important features of the house. On one side, it opens onto the living room; on the other, it heats the sheltered terrace. In this way, it connects the living area with the outdoor relaxation zone.
The lounge is surrounded by a bespoke walnut sofa and integrated stairs. The whole space has been designed as a place for relaxation, conversation and spending time together by the fire.
Lighting also plays a significant role. The designers did not want to over-illuminate the interior after dark, so the materials and light fittings were chosen with very subtle lighting in mind.
“We didn’t want to disturb the tranquillity of the darkness that reigns on the island. How the materials would reflect light in very low-light conditions was one of the most important criteria in selecting them,” emphasises Adam Robinson of Bureau Tempo.
Throughout the house, there are recurring features such as bespoke wall lights and cast-iron banisters crafted by a local blacksmith.
The private area of the house
The bedrooms are situated slightly higher up, in a quieter part of the house. They are connected to the main living area by a glazed passageway raised above ground level.
On one side are the guest room and a children’s room with bunk beds. On the other are a private study and the master bedroom with its own en-suite bathroom.
In the master bedroom, the extensive storage systems catch the eye. One wall is finished in oak, whilst on the other side there are wardrobes with fabric-covered fronts, suspended from metal frames. These built-in units also serve an acoustic function.
Behind the bed is a stone feature that echoes a motif previously used in the living area.
The bathroom has been designed as a tranquil space for daily rituals. It features a bespoke stone washbasin with two bowls, a ceramic bath and a shower with a stone floor.
The designers deliberately chose materials that would age and change with use.
“Early discussions with the client about embracing patina and using materials that age well set the direction for the entire project,” says Adam Robinson.
A family home on an island
Pine Island Cottage was conceived as a place where architecture does not dominate everyday life. The layout of the house encourages spending time together, whilst also allowing one to retreat to more private areas.
The designers used the topography of the plot as a natural way of organising the space. As a result, the journey from the entrance to the living area, and then on to the private bedrooms, becomes almost a journey through the entire house.
The project was led by Bureau Tempo – a Montreal-based studio specialising in residential and hotel architecture – and Canadian designer Thom Fougere, who works at the intersection of architecture, interior design, furniture design and product design.
Design: Bureau Tempo
Photographs: Alex Lesage
See also: Architecture | Canada | Detached house | Stone | Kitchen | Bathroom
