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