Where Art Meets the Wild: A Modern Lodge in Eastern Ontario

A secluded design-forward retreat in Eastern Ontario blends organic architecture, seasonal colour, and curated art

On a picturesque peninsula in Eastern Ontario, this newly built contemporary residence stands as a bold reimagining of the modern lodge. Though a private vacation property, it unfolds with the ease and elegance of a boutique hotel — designed with both serenity and spectacle in mind.

This newly built contemporary residence stands as a bold reimagining of the modern lodge, Image: Scott Norsworthy

Architecture by Vandenberg & Wildeboer Architects grounds the structure firmly in its natural context, while the interior vision — crafted by ACDO, the design studio co-founded by Abe Chan and Sam Khouvongsavanh (alumni of Yabu Pushelberg) - brings the organic outside in. Concrete, soapstone, and sandblasted oak form the material foundation, layered with rich textures and vibrant accents to create what the designers call “a welcoming atmosphere.”

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The interior vision was bringing the organic outside in, Image: Scott Norsworthy

“Embracing its distinct lakefront setting, the design philosophy adopts an inside-out approach, seamlessly weaving together spaces for leisure and connectivity,” say Chan and Khouvongsavanh. “Every detail is curated to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere.”

At 10,000 square feet, the house is expansive but intimate - divided across two wings and three levels. Each of the bedrooms includes an ensuite and dedicated change room, ensuring comfort for visiting guests.

Amenities like a private cinema and a generous wine cellar underline the home’s retreat-like nature.

The Private Cinema, Image: Scott Norsworthy

From the beginning, the design sought to elevate Ontario’s cottaging tradition. “We looked at Ontario’s culture of cottaging and the desire to re-engage with nature throughout the seasons,” the designers explain. “This house is an elevated approach to this experience, where all materials used are natural, honest and organic.”

Those natural materials - locally sourced and tactile - create a visual language that runs throughout the home. Accented with quartzites, suedes, and millwork by Erik Cabinets, each space is its own narrative. Colour is introduced with purpose, drawing from nature’s seasonal rhythm. A custom 2,000-square-foot rug in the living room, created in collaboration with Creative Matters and The Rug Company, anchors four separate seating areas, each tied to a different time of year.

A custom 2,000-square-foot rug in the living room anchors four separate seating areas, Image: Scott Norsworthy

“The ACDO design team worked with a colour palette that was dictated by some key architectural finishes: concrete, soapstone and sandblasted oak to unify the spaces,” the designers note. “Then they injected colour into each area through furnishings, art and custom rugs to personify the different seasons in the region.”

The ACDO design team worked with a colour palette that was dictated by some key architectural finishes, Image: Scott Norsworthy

Furniture from global design houses like Living Divani, Man of Parts, and Apparatus enrich each room with sculptural presence and functionality, while the lighting and accessory choices - featuring names like Allied Maker, Sebastian Herkner, and Walter Knoll - underscore a curated but effortless style.

Lighting choices underscore a curated but effortless style, Image: Scott Norsworthy

Yet, what truly distinguishes this house is its relationship with art. Guided by art consultant Hanabi, the home showcases commissioned and site-specific works from an international roster of artists. From Antony Gormley’s “Quantum Cloud XIV” in the living room to photographs by Inka and Niclas Lindergård in the primary bedroom, each piece adds a layer of soul to the space. Every hallway, stair, and landing becomes a gallery: a visual dialogue between art and environment.

Photographs by Inka and Niclas Lindergård hang in the primary bedroom, Image: Scott Norsworthy

Already, the homeowners are looking ahead. Their vision includes adding a cluster of charming cabins on the same property - an extension of the home’s immersive, design-led ethos.

This house, in all its layers, is more than a seasonal escape. It’s a thoughtful, lived-in statement - where nature is not just the backdrop, but the story.