This was the second larger project we designed for this family who wanted a new vacation home built on family land at Pelican Lake, Manitoba. The first location for the cottage was next door to the client's parent's cottage and was a south-facing flat piece of land they were trying to subdivide. Due to planning and development delays at the municipal office, the family decided to buy another parcel of land on the lake. However, we had already designed the vacation home when they decided they could not wait any longer for the legal issues around the subdivision on the lot. The new lot was elevated from the lake and had a slope down to the water, much different from the original lot but still mainly facing south.

One of the first things we did was flip the plans for the house, which made more sense for the new lot. The floor plan of the home was designed for a south-facing lakefront wall of glass with the entry area from the north parking area with fewer windows or doors due to our winter climate. This allowed us to create a family living space all geared towards the extended deck cantilevered out from the building over the sloped lot to the lake.

Everything was designed to capitalize on the lake and the views from the lake for this family with three active children. The main floor plan is semi-open with a two-sided fireplace dividing the living space from the dining room. Adjacent to the dining room is a screened-in lounge area, a must in Manitoba.

The main living space is a two-story glass space that opens up to the second floor connecting the family and the two floors with a small lounge area on the second floor. The four bedrooms and bath areas completed the second floor with a deck off the master bedroom.