On a densely wooded site above Percy Lake near Algonquin Park in Ontario, Michael Taylor Architecture + Design has completed a single-storey cottage that responds directly to the landscape and the client’s request for a home that would be as hidden as possible from the road. Set within Canadian Shield granite terrain, portions of exposed rock are incorporated into the landscape itself, shaping how the building sits within the site and how it is approached.
A Cottage Hidden Within the Forest
The cottage is positioned on a steep slope overlooking the lake and is formed through a process of excavation. Six feet of earth was cut away, allowing the building to sit low within the site while retaining and exposing the rock face as a landscaped embankment between the cottage and the road. From this approach, the house is largely concealed, with only the stone chimney and a charcoal-coloured roof edge visible above the embankment.
The home, with its dark wood siding, is organized into three stepped volumes that shift down the slope. These include an entry wing with two guest bedrooms and a screened porch, a central great room, and a primary bedroom wing reached by a glazed walkway.
A Quiet Arrival
The entry is recessed and tucked behind the excavated embankment, creating a concealed arrival sequence rather than a prominent front approach. A blackened steel cut-out map of the lake is positioned at the entrance, referencing the site in a crafted detail.
Lake Views Framed by Glass and Fire
The central great room contains the living space and is defined by expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing that frames views across Percy Lake. A blackened-steel wood-burning fireplace with a stone surround, anchors the room and acts as a focal point within the open space.
Douglas fir ceiling planks continue across the interior and extend outward beneath the roof overhangs. Operable windows on both sides of the great room allow for cross ventilation in warmer months, while the fireplace and radiant heated floor provide winter heating.
Crafted Pieces at the Center of the Home
The dining area is located within the central great room and sits beside the lake-facing floor-to-ceiling windows. A custom solid walnut dining table is positioned within this space, accompanied by a chandelier made from recycled wood by Toronto makers The Brothers Dressler.
An Open Kitchen Facing the Water
The kitchen, with its pale wood and white cabinetry, and matching island, is integrated into the central great room alongside the living and dining areas.
A Sheltered Space
Located within the entry wing, the warm wood ceiling continues brings a cozy cabin-like feeling to this screened porch, while the large black frames open the space visually to the trees and water beyond, making the room feel connected to nature without giving up comfort.
Outdoor Living Beneath The Trees
The deck, located off the screened porch, looks out towards the lake. Light gray outdoor furniture keeps the seating area soft and casual, with orange pillows adding just the right pop of color. Tall grasses along the edge help the deck settle into the landscape.
Roof Overhangs And Glazed Walkways
Generous roof overhangs extend outward from the central volume, forming an additional outdoor area, although this one is covered to provide protection from the elements, and helps separate the primary suite from the rest of the home.
Internally, the primary bedroom wing is separated from the rest of the cottage by a glazed walkway. This connection creates a transition between the central great room and the private sleeping wing while maintaining visual continuity through the structure.
A Private Bedroom Suite
The primary bedroom suite feels like a quiet retreat tucked into the trees, with warm wood ceilings tying the desk nook, sleeping area, and bathroom together. Closets line the wall, while a partition becomes a backdrop for the bed. In the bathroom, a freestanding tub, glass shower, soft neutral tile, and matte black fixtures create a calm, modern place to unwind.
Steps Lead to Outdoor Entertaining
Landscaping across the site is minimal, preserving the character of the forest and retaining as many trees as possible. Steps lead from the cottage down toward the lake, and granite boulders relocated from other parts of the site form terraces within the landscape. Outdoor seating around a firepit and on a dock help to create casual lakefront areas to relax.
Set into the steep wooded slope above Percy Lake, the cottage by Michael Taylor Architecture + Design is shaped by the decision to cut into the land rather than sit on top of it. The three sections of the home follow the terrain down toward the water, using excavation, exposed granite, and restrained exterior materials to reduce visual impact from the road. From within, the focus shifts fully toward the lake, where the great room and its glazing frame long views across the water and forest.