Lakeside Cottage

In 2022, a severe Derecho storm altered the trajectory of this historic lakeside cottage when a 100-foot
pine tree collapsed through its roof, rendering the original structure unsalvageable. The replacement
project presented a rare and complex challenge: how to rebuild on a pre-bylaw footprint located directly
at the water’s edge—an enviable yet no-longer-permitted siting—while meeting contemporary
floodplain and environmental regulations.

The original cottage’s footprint, legally nonconforming but historically significant, became central to the
project’s advocacy process. Through close collaboration with the township, approval was secured to
maintain the existing building envelope. However, new floodplain requirements mandated a raised
main-floor elevation and prohibited the inclusion of a crawl space. These constraints fundamentally
shaped the architectural response.

The resulting 1,022-square-foot cottage demonstrates a rigorous commitment to spatial efficiency and
environmental resilience. Within a tightly controlled footprint, the design accommodates three
bedrooms, one bathroom, and an attic-level utility and storage zone. The compact plan is carefully
calibrated to maximize.

(1st Flr - 1022 sq ft)