S2 | Rewind Design | E18 The Journey from Childhood Cottaging to becoming a Cottage Architect

5 May

The Glass Cottage on Georgian Bay

A Journey from Childhood Cottaging to becoming a Cottage Architect - Meredith Robb

Today’s episode of the Rewind Design Podcast is being brought to you by the ThinkBoyd Real Estate Team. The Team of Nicole and Geoff believe that buying or selling real estate is more than just a transaction – it’s a connection that should feel like working with family. For their local perspective and sage advice, If you’re thinking of buying or selling, think Boyd. Part of Royal LePage Team Advantage, Realty Brokerage Inc. Think Boyd Real Estate Team.

Welcome to Episode 18 of Rewind Design Season 2! If you are brand new to this podcast, welcome! My name is Katy McNabb and I am a registered Interior Designer working in Ontario’s Cottage Country. I am on a mission to share sustainable ways of building, promote green energy and document the history of the Cottage Country.

In this captivating episode of the Rewind Design podcast, I have a heartfelt conversation with architect Meredith Robb. Growing up in Toronto and spending summers at a Georgian Bay cottage, Meredith shares her journey from those formative experiences to becoming a renowned architect specializing in cottage design.

Meredith discusses the evolution of cottage architecture and the importance of sustainability in modern designs. The episode dives into her professional path, including collaborations with other architects and her unique approach to integrating cottages into Ontario's stunning landscapes. Whether you're fascinated by architectural design, love cottages, or seek inspiration for your own projects, this episode promises insights and stories that resonate.

LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW BELOW!

Photos are from the 1989 publication of City and Country Homes magazine

Questions for Meredith!

“I've been working in the field of architecture since 2000 and in my previous career as an interior designer since 1997. Throughout my years of practice, I have had the opportunity of working on a broad range of project types and with many wonderful clients. I completed my Masters in Architecture at the University of Toronto in 2001 and I am a licensed architect with the Ontario Association of Architects. I truly believe that we can live better through better design and it is that belief that drives me to not just create beautiful buildings but to create spaces and forms that enhance the lives of those who engage with them.” Meredith Robb - Principal Architect - Bach Int.Design, MArch, OAA - https://www.meredithrobbarchitect.com

How did you start your own practice?

I graduated in 2001 and worked for a few different firms and different sectors of architectural practice. In 2016 I was considering private practice, and I was thinking long and hard about what kind of projects I could do as a sole practitioner that I would be really excited about and because of how important my own cottage was to me I got really hooked on the idea that cottages could be my area of focus.

I did a bit of research about which architects were designing cottages and I came across the architect James Ireland. I reached out to him, really just to have a conversation and to pick his brain. He made it clear that he was a sole practitioner and didn’t have a job to offer me, but we decided to meet and chat about his work, my work, our mutual interest in cottages and after we met he asked if I would be interested in collaborating on a project, so we did. And then we collaborated on another, and another. Sometimes projects would run through his practice and sometimes they would run through mine. James, or Jim as he is known, has since retired (for the most part but not completely). We stay in touch. We still occasionally collaborate. He’s been an amazing help for me establishing my practice.

What do you love about being an architect?

I love that with a cottage you get to fully consider the site. You get to consider what are the best views (both the big ones and the intimate ones), the path of the sun, the prevailing winds, the significant trees and rocks. Cottages properties are so much about connecting with nature and the building must serve to enhance that connection.

The other thing I love about my practice is working with clients and figuring exactly what their interests and needs are. It’s a very close relationship. You need to really listen to them and take their ideas, along with your own to create a vision for the property. As an architect I don’t just try to design what I think is best, or what I think will look good. I really try to work with the clients so that we develop a design together.

Photos are from the 1968 publication of Canadian Interiors magazine

What areas of Cottage Country do you work in + what are the main types of project you do?

All over Ontario

Can you briefly explain your design process specifically on Georgian Bay Cottages?

Island properties need special consideration. Site (often boat access). Construction. Light on the land, seasonal (no heating or cooling). Pier footings.

What is the most important design decision when designing for sustainability/energy efficiency?

Material selection, Where are the materials coming from. What is the lifespan of material? With a new build 4 season building there are code requirements that ensure you with have a very well insulated building which makes it energy efficient but there are different systems for heating and cooling that might be considered. I’ve designed off-grid sites. I’ve designed using geothermal systems.

What are ways that you build new + sustainable in Cottage Country?

Design and build something that will last. Consider the eco-footprint of material selections. Make connecting with the natural environment a priority of the project.

What ways do you incorporate the natural landscape and environment?

Typical by trying to keep structures close to the ground and working with the natural topography of the land. I try to create designs that will fit into their landscapes. This is important for both how the building looks visually, but also for how it feels to move through the site and the building. When you are inside how does it feel to move from the interior space, to a deck and then to grade. How does that transition work? What is the presence of the building from various places on the property, or from the shore if you are approaching by boat.

What can homeowners / cottage owners do day to day to help with their eco footprint? (in regards to their home)

Think about the longevity of materials and also about what happens to a product at the end of its life cycle. I lean towards natural materials but also consider where that material is coming from. If there is some stone being used in a project, using local stone is usually the better design choice for a project as it is a reflection of the area in which the project is situated. Ipe wood is very durable and long lasting but it comes from the rainforest so if I don’t want to make choices that harm the rainforest then I’m going to avoid it. Material selections can be a lot to navigate and I work with clients to help make the best choices.

Even my own family cottage, as I mentioned, has a lot of teak for the interior elements. Constructed today you likely would not make those some material choices, but the place is over 60 years old, we take care of it, we cherish it and it will all hopefully last a lot longer so given that it could be considered a good choice. We need to look at the life cycle of materials. How long they last, what eventually happens to materials that have to be replaced.

Sometimes building smaller and more simply is the right approach. The perception of what a cottage is and the expectation for how comfortable and luxurious it is has really changed over recent decades. A cottage used to be something fairly simple. They were often small and lacked privacy. This may or may not work for your family. Cottages are often meeting places for friends and family. It’s the place where you can really spend longer amounts of time together. In the city you may get together for a meal, but at a cottage it could be several days or longer that you hang out togetherWhat are some design / architectural features that are often overlooked in terms of sustainability/energy efficiency?

Photos are from the 1968 publication of Canadian Interiors magazine

What is most likely to wear over time, and what is most likely to maintain?

What is exposed to the weather, what will wear… Decks most typically and traditionally cedar. Unfortunately the cedar of today will not last like the cedar of years ago. … plastic wood as an alternative. Shingle roof. Cedar shingle, asphalt shingle, metal roof

What are the most common problems you see with old homes/cottages?

Maintenance - often people think cottage life is all about recreation, have a swim, have a nap, enjoy and drink, but there is also a lot of work especially with older cottages.

What are the benefits to restoring an old building vs tearing it down?

Preservation of the familiar, family history,

How do you navigate the project when working on an island? What are the pros and cons and what do you find the most challenging?

Seasonal - cost of construction - ease of construction - not going to use a substantial amount of poured concrete - barge all the materials.

Can we walk through your island property, the architecture, and the specialness about the cottage? (designed by your dad!)

Main Cottage was built in 1968 - Small and Seasonal, Under 450 sf, no insulation, no heating or cooling, it has no bedrooms

It’s constructed of a fir timber framed structure with large sheets of glass forming most of the walls between the posts and beams. In the area, it is known as the glass cottage. The roof is a gable roof, and is structured with thick tongue and groove cedar. There are large roof overhangs on all four sides of the building. These offer a lot of protection from the sun and rain. The roof’s ridge line is split open and there is a pop-up skylight that runs the entire length of the roof.

The cottage is oriented on an east west axis. The approach to the cottage is from a set of stairs on the east side, which leads to the east deck, which we refer to as the back deck. When you enter the cottage the first thing you see is a beautiful teak bar. The bar is part of one of the two islands that form the kitchen. Beyond the kitchen are two custom teak and leather sofas and a long teak coffee table.

This area is used for both living and dining, and beyond that we have a west deck that looks out directly over the bay. The west side, with the big view, is what we consider in the front of the cottage. It’s a great place to watch the sunset.

Photo from the 1968 publication of Canadian Interiors magazine

How does being at the cottage make you feel?

Being here makes you very aware of the weather. You can really connect with what is going on around you. You are aware of the position of the sun at different times of the day. You feel the direction of the wind and can gauge how strong it is in how it interacts with the water.

Because of the east west axis and the two decks no matter the time of the day you can always find sun or shade. The wind comes primarily from the west when the weather is fair and often the east wind means rain. Maybe you want that breeze when it is very warm out or maybe you want protection from it.

The main cottage is a very compact, open and efficient space.

As I mentioned there are no bedrooms. Originally we slept in tents, my dad loved sleeping in a tent, my mom not so much. As a child I really enjoyed being in a tent as well, but when I was a teenager my sisters and I convinced him to design a bunkie for us. Then about 10 years ago I designed another sleeping cabin with a small living space that included a fireplace.

THANK YOU Meredith!

Today’s episode was brought to you by the ThinkBoyd Real Estate Team. The Team of Nicole and Geoff believe that buying or selling real estate is more than just a transaction – it’s a connection that should feel like working with family. For their local perspective and sage advice, If you’re thinking of buying or selling, think Boyd. Part of Royal LePage Team Advantage, Realty Brokerage Inc. Think Boyd Real Estate Team.