CONNECTING
GENERATIONS
A CEDARCOAST JOURNAL
FEATURED STORY
Go ahead and do it.
The story of one family’s decision to build their Muskoka cottage —
and how they feel about that decision today
WELCOME TO CONNECTING GENERATIONS
When families first meet CedarCoast, conversations frequently revolve around what truly makes a spectacular day at the lake.
Coffee in the early stillness. Noisy kids having the time of their lives. Grandparents settling in. Summer barbeques. Holidays by the fire.
Connecting Generations is our new journal about those conversations — the families, ideas, decisions and craftsmanship behind building a cottage in Muskoka.
We hope you'll enjoy the stories, and perhaps find a few ideas for your own cottage along the way.
- Bert Bongers, Partner
CedarCoast Timber Homes
In this issue:
Stories about family, design, craftsmanship
and the thinking behind the cottages CedarCoast builds.
THE FAMILY COTTAGE GUIDE
Designing for Every Stage of Life
How thoughtful cottage design can work for children, parents and grandparents — and continue working as a family changes.
CRAFTSMANSHIP - HOW DO WE DO IT?
Building on Muskoka Rock
Building on granite is simply part of building in Muskoka. CedarCoast Partner Patrick Bongers looks at how experience, planning and the right construction approach turn difficult terrain into the foundation for a lasting cottage.
DESIGN NOTES
What's Your Favourite View?
When CedarCoast Partner Bert Bongers asks this question, he is pointing to one of the most important design decisions: the cottage's orientation, and what the owners will experience every time they walk through the front door.
SMART PLANNING
The SMARTPLAN helps families think through the important questions:
- How will your family’s needs change over time?
- What does everyone love doing at the cottage?
- Where do people naturally gather?
- Where's everyone to when it rains?
- How can the cottage remain comfortable for every generation?
- Which priorities should be included from the very beginning?
The SMARTPLAN helps families think through the important questions:
- How will your family’s needs change over time?
- What does everyone love doing at the cottage?
- Where do people naturally gather?
- Where's everyone to when it rains?
- How can the cottage remain comfortable for every generation?
- Which priorities should be included from the very beginning?
CLOSING THOUGHTS
A family cottage is more than a building project. It becomes your home for mornings, meals, celebrations, quiet moments and traditions that may continue for generations.
Thoughtful planning at the beginning makes room for all of them.
