Lake Muskoka Boathouse

Project Name: Lake Muskoka Boathouse
Location: Port Carling, Ontario, Canada
Project Types: Outbuilding
Project Scope: New Construction
Size: 870 sq. feet
Year Completed: 2020
Awards: 2023 Residential Architect Design Award
Project Status: Built

This project received an Honorable Mention in the 2023 Residential Architect Design Awards, Outbuilding category.

“I thought it was beautiful.” — Juror Tya Winn

Located on Lake Muskoka in Ontario, Canada, where the lakefront is lined with traditional homes, this new boathouse by Turkel Design stands out with its modern, streamlined design.

Facing constraints such as a 14-foot roofline limit, a sloped site, potential water damage, and a brief construction season, the architects chose to prefabricate the boathouse components off-site. Construction was completed during the winter, with parts transported via snowmobile to minimize disruption to the shoreline.

The boathouse features a minimalist wooden design with exposed post-and-beam construction. Made from laminated Douglas fir, the structure lifts a boat above the frozen lake. Its exterior is clad in latticed fir boards that will weather over time, allowing water to drain effectively. The roof deck is designed with joists resting on horizontal beams, integrating seamlessly with the sloped roof. This design not only enhances the boathouse’s functionality but also transforms it from a simple storage space into a versatile area for gatherings. The project exemplifies innovative construction within strict regulations and sensitive environments.

PROJECT CREDITS:
– Project: Lake Muskoka Boathouse, Port Carling, Ontario, Canada
– Architect: Turkel Design, Somerville, Mass.
– Structural Engineer: Quantum Engineering
– Other Consultants: Shifflett Engineering (steel docks); Spielman Fabrication (stairs and railing)

MATERIALS AND SOURCES:
– Structural System: Laminated Douglas fir posts and beams, galvanized steel cross-bracing