TYPE: Detached
STATUS: Sold
PRICE: $3,599,000
BEDROOM(S): 4
BATHROOM(S): 2
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Mary Lake, Muskoka
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A shelter, and a balcony in the woods, a bridge and a house.
LLAMA Urban Design’s Muskoka retreat is a bridge, thoughtfully placed on a 5.3 acre private, wooded lot. The lot is bifurcated by a seasonal ravine, connecting the forest on either side. The structure faces the expanse of Mary Lake, enjoying 310’ of beached waterfront as the sun sets beyond the quietude.
Bridgehouse is a 38 meter long gesture that celebrates the experience of place and rests as a counterpoint to the monumental scale of the landscape. The inverted V-shaped structure, mirrors the ravine’s form and produces a sense of lightness, allowing the exterior to pass through the house.
Each wing hides a forest exit to the beach for you and for your guests. The four bedrooms and two washrooms are grounded by massive walkout glazing in the sleeping quarters, constantly communicating with the changing slope of the ravine and nature’s grade. Apart and separate, quiet moments are created, transferring feelings to the space inside and out.
Connecting in the middle, 6 meters over the ravine, you are transported to the tree canopy, bridging the beachfront lake and the forest, which communicate, through dancing dappled sunlight on the walls and gentle lapping waves tickling the shore, softly echoing to your perch. In any season, the fire is lit and the stage is set and you are nature’s audience, comfortable and surrounded by modern minimalism. It’s not what you expect and everything you need.
PROPERTY SUMMARY
COMMUNITY
Huntsville
The largest closes town besides, Port Sydney – An adorable village with a few friendly retailers and services and Port Sydney Beach on the south end of Mary Lake. (Port Sydney History.) Surrounded by impressive landscapes and some of the largest and most popular lakes in the region, Huntsville is a lively town set in the heart of Muskoka. Bursting with history, culture, and art, Huntsville is known for its commitment to local businesses, community growth and for the endless recreational options, in every season. Experience culinary delights for every palate, locally owned shops, charming boutiques and find comfort in knowing that the amenities you need and the luxuries you desire are available for you. Mary Lake, Lake Vernon, Fairy Lake and Peninsula Lake make up the 4-lake chain system in Huntsville which allows you to enjoy over 40 miles of boating. These popular Muskoka lakes are home to renowned golf courses, world class resorts and endless scenic shorelines. Adventure awaits in the sun and snow on the trails of Arrowhead Park and Algonquin Park is a great place for a day trip all year round or enjoy over 1200kms of OFSC trails accessible from Muskoka.
Mary Lake
Connected on both ends with the North Muskoka River and part of the 4-lake, 40 mile, chain system. Canoe from Bridgehouse to Port Sydney Beach and docks. The lake is up to 184’ deep, and avereages 82’. It has an over 20Km perimeter with 10% wetland shores. It is one of the quietest and least populated lakes in the region. The water level is controlled by an MNR owned and operated dam at Port Sydney. Water levels are governed by the Muskoka River Water Management Plan. Here is a run down of the fish this lake has served up recently: Lake Trout; pumpkinseed, trout-perch, white sucker, brown bullhead, golden shiner, rainbow smelt, yellow perch, bluntnose minnow, longnose sucker, rock bass, Slimy Sculpin, Spottail Shiner.
Muskoka Airport
Located in Gravenhurst, just 20 minutes drive to Bridgehouse. You’ll find Canada Customs Airport of Entry, a pilot lounge and quick access to ground transport. The 1.83KM runway can accommodate a Boeing 737, so that should cover most your airborne friends. It’s also open 365 days a year. More Info.
ROOM BY ROOM DETAIL
Outdoors
Bridgehouse Global
Great Room
Kitchen
Pantry
Sleeping Quarters
To the North and South conceal separate entrances, corridor, washroom and two bedrooms each. These are mirrored on either side of the building creating a split habitat for owners and their guests. The length of the house provides intimacy and acts as a bridge between the owners and their guests. Each wing has its own entrance, informally referred to as the ‘beach door’ which opens to a foyer with open closet, exposed shelving, recessed strip valance lighting and each with the two bedrooms.
Two Primary Bedrooms
Two Washrooms
Two Second Bedrooms
Two Bedroom Foyers
South Utility
North Utility
ACCOLADES
ARCHITECT: MARIANA LEGUÍA ALEGRÍA, LLAMA Urban Design
Mariana is the principal architect of LLAMA URBAN DESIGN. She has led a number of important commissions including the design for the Peruvian Pavilion (guest country) at the ARCO art fair in Madrid in 2019. In 2016, she won the first prize in the international competition for the expansion of the Lima Art Museum, competing agains 387 proposals from 56 countries. In 2013, Mariana won first place in the Built Architecture category in Peru’s Biennial of Emerging Architecture, and was chosen to represent Peru at the Biennale of Latin American Architecture in Pamplona in 2017.
Mariana settled in Toronto in 2020, and currently teaches in the Master’s program at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design in Toronto, and in the Faculty of Architecture of the Catholic University of Peru in Lima.
Mariana has worked as an independent architect since 1999. She has worked in San Diego, California and London, prior to establishing LLAMA Urban Design with her partner Angus Laurie in Lima, in 2010. She holds a Masters degree in city design from the London School of Economics, and studied architecture at Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru.
Mariana is the creative driving force behind the Bridgehouse. Internationally schooled and acclaimed, her path has, in no small way, culminated in the Bridgehouse. Unable to conform, Mariana rebelled from conventional typologies and representation, inspired by the education she received at Ricardo Palma University, Teddy Cruz (San Diego), and The Case Study Housing Projects. She remained an advocate for public space, expanding her education to include urban design; designing multi-programmed inspired spaces. Yet Bridgehouse is more intimate than just a culmination of her passions and skills. Bridgehouse results from Mariana’s explorations into family dynamics, the relationship with the land, housing as a flexible and multiverse space, Canada’s history of covered bridges, and the respect and celebration of the area’s natural beauty.
ENGINEERING: Mike Feindel, Blackwell Engineers
INTERIOR: Adam Lawrence, Cutters Edge