- Interior
- Architecture & development
Nestled in a wooded corner by a lake in the Canadian wilderness, Long Lake Cottage is a secluded retreat that places tranquillity and connection with nature at its core. The location was chosen with care. The owners, an urban couple with a profound love for the outdoors, spent a year camping on the site to understand the land before deciding where and how to build. The result is an off-grid home that deliberately nestles into the landscape while fostering comfortable, accessible living across generations.
The design comes from Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, a studio renowned for its careful consideration of context, materials, and use. For Long Lake Cottage, the practice began with the natural contours of the land and the specific needs of the residents. The architecture is clear and considered, with a light-touch intervention that respects the landscape. By partially sliding the volume beneath a rock ledge and connecting the main level via a bridge, accessibility was integrated without compromising spatial quality or experience. 
The house spans two levels with an unusual yet logical organisation. The primary living spaces occupy the upper level, among the treetops, while the bedrooms are arranged lower in the volume, closer to the forest. On the top level, an open-plan living area unfolds, combining kitchen and dining spaces, entirely surrounded by glass. Windows and sliding doors extend to a generous terrace with views over the water and surrounding woods. Inside, a concrete fireplace forms a calm focal point, with seating designed for gathering, and a long built-in window seat that brings the landscape almost within reach.
Fully off-grid and designed for year-round use, Long Lake Cottage is not a temporary escape, but a place to live in rhythm with nature and family over the long term
The choice of materials reinforces the sense of continuity between inside and out. Sustainably sourced timber plays a leading role, both structurally and aesthetically. Interior oak floors and Western hemlock ceilings provide warmth and gentle acoustics, while exterior weathered cedar and dark-stained spruce help the volume blend seamlessly with the forest. The kitchen continues this approach with understated oak joinery and stone countertops, functionally integrated into the open space without strong boundaries. 
On the lower level, five bedrooms open directly to the forest, each with its own outdoor access. The master bedroom faces west, capturing the evening light filtering through the trees, and features a bathroom that extends outdoors. The two levels are staggered relative to each other, creating sheltered terraces that extend the outdoor living experience — from cool summer days by the rock face to evenings around the fireplace on the upper deck. Fully off-grid and designed for year-round use, Long Lake Cottage is not a temporary escape, but a place to live in rhythm with nature and family over the long term. 
Photography by Riley Snelling
Text by Carolien Depamelaere