What It Takes to Build a Muskoka Boathouse | Twin Isle
Open lake views. Exposed steel and timber. A lower boathouse designed without interior posts. See what it takes to bring Twin Isle, our Muskoka boathouse on Lake Rosseau, from detailed drawings to construction.
Join Design Principal Alex Foreshew and Project Designer Massimo DeFrancesco of Foreshew Design Associates, alongside Mac Robertson and Framing Manager Zach Lyons of Sustainment Construction, for an on-site look at the structural framing stage.
With the Douglas fir timbers installed and the next phase of the roof assembly ahead, we explore the design decisions, precise detailing and collaboration bringing this waterfront project to life.
In this construction walkthrough:
• How structural steel creates an open lower level with uninterrupted sightlines
• The integration of exposed Douglas fir beams, steel and carefully detailed knife plate connections
• A future screened-in room with a pocketing lift-and-slide door and western views across Lake Rosseau
• The design of a second-storey fireplace feature for evenings overlooking the lake
• The sloped drainage and waterproofing beneath the future upper-level deck
• The exterior sheathing assembly and its role in creating a thermal break
Every connection contributes to the larger vision: spaces that frame the view, welcome gathering and make life at the water’s edge feel effortless. This visit offers a closer look at the work behind that experience, and the people making it possible.
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Foreshew Design Associates is an architectural design studio based in Port Carling, Ontario, working across Muskoka and beyond. We design primary residences and destination homes for clients who expect more than 'standard' residential architecture.
Our work is driven by bold ideas, strong architectural language, and a refusal to replicate what’s already been done. Every project is site-specific, shaped by its environment and the way the home is meant to be lived in. No templates. No shortcuts. Nothing generic.
By integrating architecture, interiors, and technical design from day one, we maintain control over the full design narrative; from first sketch to built form. The result is architecture that is distinctive, intentional, and built to perform across demanding landscapes; on the water, in the mountains, or in the urban fabric.
To learn more about Foreshew Design Associates, visit:
https://www.foreshewda.com