Located within the sensitive, low-lying Alvars ecosystem of Manitoulin Island, this off-grid family retreat was designed to respond directly to fluctuating water levels and a fragile natural landscape. To minimize the site footprint, the structure is elevated on posts anchored by custom steel footings surveyed to follow the irregular bedrock topography. The design prioritizes material efficiency and low-impact building techniques, utilizing standard timber dimensions to reduce on-site waste, alongside a structural grid adapted to accommodate non-standard, salvaged windows.
Assisting on the second phase of the project, my role focused on the physical construction of a timber-framed addition. This hands-on execution involved rough carpentry, structural wall framing using 2x6 timber, and adapting framing openings on-site to integrate the salvaged openings. Operating entirely off-grid - reliant on a 2000-watt solar array and localized resources - the project served as a rigorous lesson in remote site logistics, physical fabrication tolerances, and low-impact construction practices.
Assisting on the second phase of the project, my role focused on the physical construction of a timber-framed addition. This hands-on execution involved rough carpentry, structural wall framing using 2x6 timber, and adapting framing openings on-site to integrate the salvaged openings. Operating entirely off-grid - reliant on a 2000-watt solar array and localized resources - the project served as a rigorous lesson in remote site logistics, physical fabrication tolerances, and low-impact construction practices.