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Clad in SPF lumber, zinc, and glass, David Bronskill and Mark Dilworth’s vacation home on Oblong Lake fans out to capture wide views of the forest. “Nothing is straight in the plan,” says architect Roland Rom Colthoff of RAW Design, who conceived the 2,500-square-foot escape. From left to right, there are three structures: a three-bedroom guest wing, a voluminous communal area, and a semi-detached master suite. Two of the wings share an unusual fin-shape design because of their varied ceiling heights.
Clad in SPF lumber, zinc, and glass, David Bronskill and Mark Dilworth’s vacation home on Oblong Lake fans out to capture wide views of the forest. “Nothing is straight in the plan,” says architect Roland Rom Colthoff of RAW Design, who conceived the 2,500-square-foot escape. From left to right, there are three structures: a three-bedroom guest wing, a voluminous communal area, and a semi-detached master suite. Two of the wings share an unusual fin-shape design because of their varied ceiling heights.
The ground floor is where the clients spend most of their time. The main living space opens up to the waterfront via sliding glass doors, and the floors are burnished concrete to complement the board-formed walls.
The ground floor is where the clients spend most of their time. The main living space opens up to the waterfront via sliding glass doors, and the floors are burnished concrete to complement the board-formed walls.
The ultra-modern, glass-and-steel back facade now "acts as an oversized southern aperture and fully retractable gateway" for the home, says Hackett.
The ultra-modern, glass-and-steel back facade now "acts as an oversized southern aperture and fully retractable gateway" for the home, says Hackett.
Skylights in the roof allow natural light and ventilation into the guest bedrooms, which don't have windows.
Skylights in the roof allow natural light and ventilation into the guest bedrooms, which don't have windows.
The timber-framed bunk beds are built into the soaring space.
The timber-framed bunk beds are built into the soaring space.
The weekend retreat is designed to accommodate large family and friend groups, with two guest bedrooms and a bunk room that sleeps 12.
The weekend retreat is designed to accommodate large family and friend groups, with two guest bedrooms and a bunk room that sleeps 12.
The living area completely opens up to the exterior, dissolving the boundary between inside and outside. The stone flooring in the living area is from Eco Outdoor.
The living area completely opens up to the exterior, dissolving the boundary between inside and outside. The stone flooring in the living area is from Eco Outdoor.
A look back at the living room from the dining area. Perfectly aligned white spruce boards run along the floors, walls, and ceiling.
A look back at the living room from the dining area. Perfectly aligned white spruce boards run along the floors, walls, and ceiling.
The soaking tub overlooks picturesque views of the property through a sliding glass door.
The soaking tub overlooks picturesque views of the property through a sliding glass door.
A freestanding Waterworks tub flanks a Tokyo bed by Porro and bedside lamps by Usona.
A freestanding Waterworks tub flanks a Tokyo bed by Porro and bedside lamps by Usona.
The master bedroom is capped by another stone wall at the end of the structure.
The master bedroom is capped by another stone wall at the end of the structure.
Running along the entire south side of the home is a long hallway that terminates with a dramatic sliding door separating the master suite. Custom leather-pulls stand in as door handles for each of the secondary bedrooms also located along the hallway.
Running along the entire south side of the home is a long hallway that terminates with a dramatic sliding door separating the master suite. Custom leather-pulls stand in as door handles for each of the secondary bedrooms also located along the hallway.
The entryway opens into a large great room that is framed by an exposed Barker steel bent frame. 'Eave notch’ skylights drape over the south side of the home.
The entryway opens into a large great room that is framed by an exposed Barker steel bent frame. 'Eave notch’ skylights drape over the south side of the home.
The gabled roof projects several feet beyond the window wall.
The gabled roof projects several feet beyond the window wall.
The architects incorporated sustainably sourced parota wood into the living room’s sunken seating area. The Turn Tall side table is from Blu Dot, and the pillows are from West Elm.
The architects incorporated sustainably sourced parota wood into the living room’s sunken seating area. The Turn Tall side table is from Blu Dot, and the pillows are from West Elm.
Eames chairs surround the live-edge dining table on a terrace.
Eames chairs surround the live-edge dining table on a terrace.
The home opens out to the private garden to the north and remains closed to the road and neighbours on the south side.
The home opens out to the private garden to the north and remains closed to the road and neighbours on the south side.
Continuing the built-in elements and panelling in the bedrooms creates visual consistency and eschews the need for additional furniture that may bring clutter.
Continuing the built-in elements and panelling in the bedrooms creates visual consistency and eschews the need for additional furniture that may bring clutter.
Peaked ceilings continue in the en suite bathroom.
Peaked ceilings continue in the en suite bathroom.
The team removed dropped ceilings in the relatively small bedrooms and painted the exposed rafters a glossy white to bounce light. “Opening the ceiling makes the [bedrooms] feel much bigger,” says Chernak.
The team removed dropped ceilings in the relatively small bedrooms and painted the exposed rafters a glossy white to bounce light. “Opening the ceiling makes the [bedrooms] feel much bigger,” says Chernak.
The newly squared-off bay window now has a built-in bench. The teak cabinet pulls are custom. A Sub-Zero refrigerator is concealed behind teak panels, and a built-in coffee maker sits beside an inset counter.
The newly squared-off bay window now has a built-in bench. The teak cabinet pulls are custom. A Sub-Zero refrigerator is concealed behind teak panels, and a built-in coffee maker sits beside an inset counter.
The kitchen is outfitted with custom teak cabinetry and a black soapstone counter that extends up the backsplash and waterfalls to the floor. Dramatic built-in shelves accentuate the high ceilings.
The kitchen is outfitted with custom teak cabinetry and a black soapstone counter that extends up the backsplash and waterfalls to the floor. Dramatic built-in shelves accentuate the high ceilings.
The cladding is triple-stained black cedar shiplap. The doors and windows are by Andersen.
The cladding is triple-stained black cedar shiplap. The doors and windows are by Andersen.
The team relocated the staircase so it doesn’t break up the facade.
The team relocated the staircase so it doesn’t break up the facade.
The architects removed decorative wood beams and wood paneling, and raised the ceiling to reveal a bright, open space. The existing fireplace mantle was swapped out for Bolection molding, a minimal-yet-traditional profile that allows more space for wall art. Hendricks installed the sconces and Noguchi lantern above the clients' wood table and chairs.
The architects removed decorative wood beams and wood paneling, and raised the ceiling to reveal a bright, open space. The existing fireplace mantle was swapped out for Bolection molding, a minimal-yet-traditional profile that allows more space for wall art. Hendricks installed the sconces and Noguchi lantern above the clients' wood table and chairs.
Off-Grid Guesthouse by Anacapa Architecture
Off-Grid Guesthouse by Anacapa Architecture
The two monolithic walls on the north and south sides are integrally colored, steel-troweled plaster. They anchor the home in its site as well as provide privacy from neighboring homes.
The two monolithic walls on the north and south sides are integrally colored, steel-troweled plaster. They anchor the home in its site as well as provide privacy from neighboring homes.
"The wood stove is a Little Cod by Navigator," says Dolphin. "A simple solution for small spaces."
"The wood stove is a Little Cod by Navigator," says Dolphin. "A simple solution for small spaces."
The cabins are furnished with pieces that add to their charming outdoorsy atmosphere, like camp blankets and chairs.
The cabins are furnished with pieces that add to their charming outdoorsy atmosphere, like camp blankets and chairs.
During the off-season, the cabins are shut with a wood sliding door shutter system.
During the off-season, the cabins are shut with a wood sliding door shutter system.
Glass sliders lead to a 200-square-foot cedar deck that overlooks the Straight of Georgia.
Glass sliders lead to a 200-square-foot cedar deck that overlooks the Straight of Georgia.
The sloped metal roofs were designed to capture rain, which is used in the cabins.
The sloped metal roofs were designed to capture rain, which is used in the cabins.
Frances Bacon, the couple’s French bulldog, rests on the screened-in porch.
Frances Bacon, the couple’s French bulldog, rests on the screened-in porch.

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