AKB Architects Designs a Kite Surfer’s Secluded Retreat in Harmony with Nature

Nestled within the dramatic freshwater landscapes of Pointe Au Baril, Whistling Wind Island offers an extraordinary retreat for a passionate kite surfer. Located three hours north of Toronto, this region of Georgian Bay is renowned for its untamed beauty, where Precambrian rock archipelagos create narrow waterways that challenge even seasoned boaters. Here, both permanent and seasonal residents cherish the untouched landscape, a sentiment reflected in the design of this secluded cottage.

 

Whistling Wind Island, one of the most remote inhabited islands in the area, is enveloped by open waters and vast skies. The island’s ever-changing environment, marked by fluctuating water levels and unpredictable weather, is the perfect setting for the owner’s love of kite surfing. The cottage, designed by the Toronto-based studio AKB Architects, is a testament to building in harmony with nature.

The retreat consists of four pitch-roofed structures, each carefully scaled to fit within the island’s one-acre footprint. Clad in silver-weathered cedar shingles, the buildings blend seamlessly into their surroundings, appearing almost as natural extensions of the brownish-grey rocks. The main cottage, perched at the highest elevation, is complemented by a bunkie, a sauna, and a boat storage building with a small fitness room. These structures are connected by wooden plank gangways that meander over the rugged terrain, linking boat landings and bridging gaps between outcroppings.

Unlike many summer homes that prioritise a single scenic view, the cottage and bunkie on Whistling Wind Island are designed to embrace panoramic vistas in every direction. Wrap-around decks encircle the buildings, allowing residents to fully engage with the natural beauty that surrounds them. The asymmetric shapes of the structures echo the natural contours of the land, with steps and angles that flow harmoniously with the rock formations. The design further blurs the lines between indoors and out, with triple-pane operable glass walls that open fully to invite the outside in, providing natural thermal control through cross breezes to cool the interior. Deeply recessed windows with carved overhangs punctuate the facade, offering shade from the intense summer sun and helping to reduce solar heat gain.

Inside, the cottage features a spacious open-plan living area, with a kitchen, dining space, and a living room anchored by a full-height fireplace made of local Muskoka granite slabs. The interior walls are clad in custom-made cedar boards, whitewashed to reflect the ever-present horizon of water and sky. Matching wood planks line the cathedral ceiling, providing a contemporary interpretation of a gabled wood form found in traditional cottages. This same warm, natural materiality extends to the bunkie, creating a cosy, enveloping atmosphere that contrasts with the rugged exterior.

AKB Architects, led by Robert Kastelic and Kelly Buffey, brings a holistic approach to their designs, merging interior and exterior spaces into a seamless experience. Their work, as exemplified by Whistling Wind Island, is characterised by a clarity of vision and a commitment to capturing the poetic qualities of space. The studio’s dedication to detail and conceptual integrity ensures that each building not only endures but also engages with its environment in a profound way.

Sustainability is at the core of this project. The buildings are constructed on the original footprints of preexisting structures, minimising their environmental impact. Triple-pane operable glass walls and deeply recessed windows help regulate temperature naturally, while wood-burning fireplaces eliminate the need for mechanical heating systems. Water conservation measures include low-flow plumbing fixtures and an on-demand hot water system. The outdoor shower, soon to be added, will use lake water, further reducing the environmental footprint. The lighting fixtures were selected to mimic the soft mood of candlelight and exterior lighting was eliminated altogether, in respect to the night sky and the moon’s reflection on the water. The interior glow is enough to illuminate the surrounding decks.

The short cottaging season at Pointe Au Baril ends as the lake begins to freeze in November. To protect the retreat during the harsh winter months, the design includes recessed aluminum garage-like doors that roll down to cover the windows, and the floating docks are removed from the water.

Whistling Wind Island is more than just a summer home; it is a sanctuary that exists in perfect harmony with its surroundings. AKB Architects have created a retreat that is not only resilient against nature’s elements but also profoundly connected to the landscape it inhabits. 

Credits

Architecture: AKB Architects

Architecture team: Kelly Buffey, Robert Kastelic, Donald Peckover, Byron White, Tim Wat, Antonio Morais, Nicole Rak

Furniture Curation: Anne Hepfer Design Inc

Photography: Doublespace

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Vipp Transforms Historic Log House into Tranquil Riverside Retreat

Vipp’s 9th guesthouse sees a former listed fisherman’s house from 1876 gently relocated to one of Latvia’s most spectacular nature parks, the Salaca River Valley. Situated on the bank of the river, the old log house has been transformed into a blissful hideaway and design retreat.

Arturs Martinsons, founder of the design studio xcelsior and owner of 17 hectares of landscaped meadows and woodland in Salaca National Park, oversaw the meticulous relocation of each log to its new site, where the house was rebuilt on a foundation of 180 stones. With a strong passion for architecture and design, Martinsons approached Vipp to include the house in their growing guesthouse portfolio around the world.

After thoroughly remodeling the interior layout, Vipp’s design team transformed the decaying holiday residence into a contemporary cottage. The new space blends Scandinavian minimalism with the character and charm of the original log house architecture, seamlessly integrating the built and natural environments. The magical surroundings are only fully revealed once you enter the guesthouse where large picture windows flood the space with light and provide an unobstructed view of the Salaca River.

Divided over two floors, the collection of small rooms have been replaced with a large open-plan living areas oriented towards the river views, giving new volume and life to the house. A black Vipp V1 kitchen is fitted into one corner of the living area and is paired with a combined dining and seating area. On one wall is a fireplace surrounded by mirrors that reflect the stunning greenery, bringing nature inside.

On the first floor the master bedroom features a freestanding bathtub overlooking the living area below. A narrow X-shaped window allows just enough sunlight to filter in while maintaining privacy. On the ground floor, there is a second bedroom with two single beds and a window facing the woods, along with a bathroom, entrance hall, and the combined living area and kitchen. The ceiling, painted in a dark grey-brown hue to preserve its original character, together with the dark brown log walls, creates a dense, cave-like ambiance. This is complemented by Vipp's neutral coloured furniture pieces, the V1 kitchen and items from nearby craft shops and vintage finds.

The house opens to large decks with views of the water, furnished with Vipp outdoor furniture. Perfect for lounging after a day of exploring the area or taking part in endless activities such as kayaking, canoeing, salmon fishing, biking, cross country skiing, mushroom hunting, or a swim in the river. Additionally, a separate terrace equipped with a wood-fired hot tub offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.

Images courtesy of Vipp

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Deck Update with COAST New Zealand | Part Two

I'm thrilled to be sharing this latest update of our deck as the final part of this blog series for 2018. In Part One of our collaboration with COAST, I talked about the process I went through for creating our bespoke Beanbags, from choosing the right size and design, through to the fabric selection. Deciding on the Marine Bean XL and Marine Bean Ottoman, I then chose from an extensive range of  Sunbrella Fabric. Wanting a warm beige to compliment our existing decking and black railing/home exterior, the Tresco Linen has given the exact result I was looking for. Not only does it fit beautifully with our new Outdure seating, the colour and texture compliments the interior of our home, providing a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.  

The Beanbags are such a comfy addition to our deck. Designed for indoors and out and easy to move around, I sometimes bring the Ottoman inside at night to pop my feet up on while watching TV! COAST also sell a wide range of throw cushions made from the same marine-grade Sunbrella brand fabric as the Marine Bean. The perfect accessory for both our new Beanbags and seating, we purposely designed the seating with space underneath to store some extra cushions! I popped into the COAST showroom to pick some out and they had a great range of colours on offer. Some of my favourites which are featured here on our deck are Fern, Taupe, Silica Barley and in the small cushions, Hybrid Smoke and Rust. As mentioned in the last deck update, we're also planning on getting some custom squabs made for our Outdure seating with Sunbrella fabric from COAST.

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC 

As with our indoor living spaces, I love having throws on the deck for added comfort, texture and warmth in the evenings. COAST have a beautiful collection of throws for every season. I featured their Mackenzie Woollen Throw in the last Deck Update, and for today's I've included the Antigua Linen Waffle throw in natural and the Stripe Linen Laguna throw in Mustard. Both lightweight, they are perfect for the warmer months. 

For more information on the COAST products and bespoke services visit coastnewzealand.com.

COAST offer worldwide shipping.

This post was created in collaboration with COAST New Zealand. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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Deck Update with Outdure | Part Two

Following on from the first part of my Deck Update series with Outdure, I'm thrilled to be sharing the reveal of our new look deck. In case you missed it, in the first post I talked about wanting to make our outdoor space more livable. To make the most of the compact area while creating a cohesive look, built-in seating has always been high on the wish list. Exterior specialists Outdure came up with the ideal solution, both designing and building our new seating, to fit perfectly around the edge of the deck.

Talking through the design process in my last post, I also shared a look at the concept drawings. The team at Outdure then suggested some further refinements to the design, and these have made a world of difference to the final seat. With clean lines and detailing, one of my favourite elements is the open ended design on one side. I love how the asymmetry creates a more visually interesting aesthetic. Other features include a deep seat pan to allow for outdoor cushions (which I plan to get made), and a lower back rest. Interestingly this provides a more comfortable way to lean back and rest your elbows. Such important details to get right, we couldn't be happier with the result.

Our beautiful seating is made from ResortDeck — an amazing product that combines the natural beauty of hardwood timber decking with the added benefit of being extremely durable. Available in six natural colours and finishes, the Sea Salt colour we chose is perfect for our space, creating a sense of cohesion indoors and out. It feels amazing to be finally using our space as we had envisaged. It's like having a whole new room to enjoy, and the timing couldn't be more perfect with the summer holidays around the corner! 

Styling and photography by Michelle Halford for TDC (with thanks to Kings Plant Barn)  

Outdure are running a fantastic promotion for their NZ/AU customers during the month of December. With every purchase/deposit, they are giving away a free Weber BBQ!

To find out more, visit outdure.com

This post was created in collaboration with Outdure. I only work with products I love and all opinions are my own. For more information please visit my About Page.

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