Pine Island Cottage by Bureau Tempo & Thom Fougere
Bureau Tempo and Thom Fougere Studio create textural family retreat on Georgian Bay island
Natural materials and tactile finishes define this lakeside cottage in Ontario, where Bureau Tempo and Thom Fougere Studio have crafted intimate gathering spaces that respond to the rugged island landscape.
Pine Island Cottage emerges from a secluded outcrop in Georgian Bay, its architecture and interiors engaging in constant dialogue with the surroundings. The design unfolds as a series of carefully composed spaces that follow the natural topography of the site's stone formations.
At the heart of the scheme lies an open-plan living area comprising four interconnected zones. Here, a fieldstone hearth anchors the living room, while a custom-designed kitchen island crafted from the same material serves as a central gathering point – a decision that emerged naturally during the design process.
"The kitchen island became not only an experiment with materiality, but also a highly functional element," explains Thom Fougere. The space features bespoke cabinetry in white oak and walnut, complemented by limestone accents and carefully curated accessories.
A market-style pantry with open shelving and moveable trays facilitates easy transport between the cooking area and an adjacent pewter bar, while a breakfast nook offers casual dining opportunities.
The material palette throughout draws inspiration from the island's natural elements. Burnished concrete floors sit close to the landscape, while lime-plastered walls capture shifting light conditions. "Early conversations with the client about embracing patina established a direction that led to rich material selections," says Adam Robinson of Bureau Tempo.
Guests enter through a low-ceiling vestibule marked by a distinctive pebble-shaped oak door handle. The space then gradually expands, with terraced floors and increasing ceiling heights leading to the main living area. This theatrical progression is punctuated by custom cast wall sconces and wrought-iron handrails crafted by a local blacksmith.
The living room features a bespoke walnut sofa alongside an integrated staircase, creating an intimate setting for gatherings around the double-sided fieldstone hearth that serves both interior and screened porch spaces. A heavy timber dining table and bench overlook this arrangement, completing the social core of the home.
Private spaces are thoughtfully separated via a glazed, elevated breezeway. The bedroom wings house a guest room and children's quarters with bunk beds on one side, while a private office and primary suite occupy the other. Flooring transitions from concrete to wood to flamed Eramosa stone, marking distinct zones within the home.
"Lighting was often at the heart of the decision making process," Robinson notes. "We did not want to disturb the serenity of the darkness on the island and how finishes would feel when very dimly lit was paramount in selecting materials."
The primary bedroom demonstrates particular attention to tactile qualities, featuring oak-lined storage and custom rug-fronted closets suspended on iron frames. These elements provide both visual and acoustic softness, while fieldstone accents maintain connection to the exterior environment.
The ensuite bathroom continues the material narrative with a custom double-basin stone sink, flamed stone shower floor, and ceramic tub – creating a space for contemplative daily rituals.
"When visiting the site early on with the family, we spent time walking alongside the mottled, stone-covered beach," recalls Fougere. "Translating that tactile experience into the interior in unexpected ways became a guiding goal in selecting materials. It often came down to finding the minimum touch with the maximum impact to achieve this."
This sensitivity to material and context extends throughout the project, where carefully framed views capture the ever-changing panorama of water, sky, and wind-swept trees through the cottage's thoughtfully positioned openings.
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