Bunking in style

This bunkie was designed with a 2nd-storey loft for extra sleeping space.  The use of Manitoulin cedar, along with refurbished doors and windows, gives the building a warm, unique character as though it's already experienced an interesting history.

Storage doesn't have to be boring

Our latest project was this charming storage building for a client on Honora Bay.

The design is a 12x8 foot garden shed with a gabled roof.  It is constructed of Manitoulin cedar, and features beveled siding, board-and-batten gables, and refurbished windows.

Cedar cabana

Check out the new design we're currently working on.  It's a cabin with a Holland Gable roof, board-and-batten siding, and refurbished windows and double doors.  If you look closely, the central ridge beam is one of the pieces we reclaimed recently from the Kagawong barn, dating back to the 1890s.  This style of building has endless possibilities: it would function great as a cabana, studio, or bunkie.

Reclaiming buildings

Recently an old livery barn was torn down on the historic waterfront of our town, Kagawong.  The gorgeous building dated to about 1890.  Its new owners were hoping to save the exterior structure for their new cottage.  It proved unsalvageable as a whole, but they were able to save some intact pieces to use in the new construction.  Luckily we happened to walk by after the demolition, and the owner let us take a bunch of dismantled timbers including posts, beams, and one bent.  We are already daydreaming about how to incorporate this historical wood (douglas fir, pine and eastern white cedar) into some new projects. 

Salvaging old building materials is something we're so excited about!  Sadly we don't have a picture of the Kagawong barn while it was still standing.  The photo above is typical of the intriguing, weathered buildings that dot the island.  We admired this one on a recent weekend drive near Tehkummah.

Manitoulin Market Place

We just finished building the kiosk office for the Manitoulin Market Place, the new cooperative of artisans and cottage industries housed on Gore Bay's waterfront.  The cabin fits perfectly with the rustic style of the surrounding building, the impressive Red Roof Pavilion.

Stop by to check it out, while you visit the Farmer's Market (friday mornings) or grab a treat at the Ooh Deer! ice cream parlour inside.

2011 Building Season: packages + cedar!

Now that the island has finally thawed after a long winter, we are ramping up for the coming building season.  Please contact us for information about shed and cabin designs/pricing for 2011.

Exciting news for this year — we will now be distributing the cedar products of Manitoulin Cedar Fence, from a mill on Wikwemikong.  They offer high quality decking, fencing and panelling, with custom cuts available.

Our shed packages will also be available through Castle in M'Chigeeng.

Bird observation blind

This winter we built an observation blind at the Gore Bay Airport for the Friends of Misery Bay.  It was designed for use by naturalists who visit the island every April to view the Sharp-tailed Grouse, a fascinating bird species that breeds here.  

 

photo: Royal Alberta Museum

At dawn, birders hike out to witness the mating displays at a "lek", a mating arena in the grassy vegetation where males dance and compete for female attention.

 

 photo: Dave Millsom

This project was especially exciting for us because we built it entirely from recycled/left over materials.  A double win for conservation!