Jocelyn O Dickson Architecture

Algonquin House

Key elements of the major renovation included replacing the circulation via a narrow spiral staircase through the four-level home with more functional and spacious stairs, as well as opening up the ocean-facing sun room to the dining room and kitchen to create a central, flowing main room. The project was guided by the desire to create comfortable, warm and family-oriented living spaces that also felt clean, uncluttered and contemporary. Additional work included replacing most of the windows, fully gutting and redesigning the kitchen and all baths as well as the insertion of the Red Cedar stair screen, which hugs the circulation core of the home, creating both separation and connection as one moves through the residence, catching glimpses of the ocean or the forest through the narrow, vertical slats.

Rock Camp

As the name suggests, the home sits among the boulders strewn about the lakeside site. The family wanted to preserve the historic log cabin, but needed more space for their quickly expanding next generation.

The new addition floats above the forest floor, negating the need to move any of the large boulders located beneath the structures. Drawing from the local vernacular of seasonal fishing camps, the three connected ‘cabins’ sit in a row, with views out toward the lake. The subdued interior material palette of knotty pine boards on the floors, walls and ceiling allows one’s eyes to be drawn out to the surrounding forest and lake. The matte black steel roofing and siding nestles the new structures into the coniferous forest, barely visible from the lake. The project also included updating the log cabin with a more functional kitchen and enlarging the opening to the living room. The loft was also removed, allowing more light into the space. The barn boards from the loft floor were repurposed on the kitchen walls. The inclusion of a kitchenette in the addition allows for the uninsulated log cabin to be closed off during the colder months, creating a cozy winter camp.