![A contemporary cottage that comprises a cluster of buildings, each clad in shingles.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-island-home-architecture-310724-1129-01.jpg)
Akb Architects has shared photos of a cottage they designed that comprises a cluster of buildings, each scaled proportionately to the island’s one-acre size.
![A contemporary cottage that comprises a cluster of buildings, each clad in shingles.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-island-home-architecture-310724-1129-02.jpg)
Located three hours north of Toronto, Canada, the cottage includes four pitch-roofed structures, harmoniously clad in silver-weathered cedar shingles to blend in with the surroundings.
![A contemporary cottage that comprises a cluster of buildings, each clad in shingles.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-island-home-architecture-310724-1129-03.jpg)
The main cottage is at the highest elevation. A bunkie, a sauna, and boat storage containing a small fitness room are located on different outcroppings and reachable via wooden plank gangways that link to boat landings and fill gaps between rocks.
![A contemporary cottage that comprises a cluster of buildings, each clad in shingles.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-island-home-architecture-310724-1129-04.jpg)
The cottage’s main room comprises an open kitchen, a generous dining area, and a living room featuring a full-height fireplace wall made of local Muskoka granite slabs.
![A modern cottage has a living room with a fireplace, a window seat, and a built-in bookshelf.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-living-room-window-bench-fireplace-310724-1141-01.jpg)
Custom-made cedar whitewashed boards on the walls run horizontally to echo the continual presence of the location’s dominant water and sky horizon line.
![A modern cottage has a living room with a fireplace, a window seat, and a built-in bookshelf.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-living-room-window-bench-fireplace-310724-1141-02.jpg)
The living room includes a fireplace, window bench, and built-in shelving.
![A modern cottage with a built-in window seat.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-living-room-window-bench-fireplace-310724-1141-03.jpg)
Matching wood planks line the cathedral ceiling, providing a contemporary interpretation of a gabled wood form found in traditional cottages.
![In this living room, matching wood planks line the cathedral ceiling, providing a contemporary interpretation of a gabled wood form found in traditional cottages.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-living-room-window-bench-fireplace-310724-1141-04.jpg)
The dining room separates the living room and the kitchen, while two large pendant lights add visual interest.
![An open-plan dining room separates the living room and the kitchen, while two large pendant lights add visual interest.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-kitchen-310724-1132-01.jpg)
![An open-plan dining room separates the living room and the kitchen, while two large pendant lights add visual interest.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/modern-kitchen-310724-1132-02.jpg)
The bunkie is a smaller version of the cottage, designed to sleep up to four in two bedrooms with a shared bathroom. A large flagstone fireplace at its core separates the bedrooms from a kitchenette with a desk and lounge area with a pair of loveseats.
![The bunkie is a smaller version of the cottage, designed to sleep up to four in two bedrooms with a shared bathroom. A large flagstone fireplace at its core separates the bedrooms from a kitchenette with a desk and lounge area with a pair of loveseats.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/living-room-with-fireplace-310724-1136-01.jpg)
![The bunkie is a smaller version of the cottage, designed to sleep up to four in two bedrooms with a shared bathroom. A large flagstone fireplace at its core separates the bedrooms from a kitchenette with a desk and lounge area with a pair of loveseats.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/built-in-desk-picture-window-310724-1136-01.jpg)
The bedrooms have been kept contemporary yet neutral, with simple wood bedframes and white bedding.
![A contemporary bedroom with a wood bed frame and white bedding.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bedroom-design-310724-1137-01.jpg)
![A contemporary bedroom with a wood bed frame and white bedding.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bedroom-design-310724-1137-02.jpg)