Designed by Toronto-based Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, the Bunkie On The Hill is a small, contemporary retreat completed in 2022. Located in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada, it is the smallest of several cabins on a family-owned property. It is tucked into the treeline on a steep slope, providing a quiet escape from the main, multi-generational family cottages below. The cabin reinterprets the traditional A-frame design with two intersecting, offset gables that create distinct volumes and elevations. This split-roof design, inspired by the layered shale rock formations found in the area, allows for carefully placed window openings that offer curated views of the forest and the lake. The design emphasizes both a strong connection to nature and a commitment to sustainability. The exterior features greyed wood siding and natural cedar soffits, which are intended to patina over time and blend further into the rustic landscape. The foundation consists of board-formed concrete that sits lightly on the existing rock contours, avoiding any need for invasive blasting. Inside, the home is functional despite its compact size, with built-in storage and benches. A variety of FSC-rated wood species line the interior, including oak flooring, maple plywood partitions, and Western red cedar slats for the ceiling, which echo the surrounding forest. The interior perimeter walls are clad in white wallboard. The home's layout features a main living area with a fireplace and a kitchen on the lower level, a bedroom with a large window and forest views at the rear, and an upper loft with a built-in desk and extra sleeping space. The large, geometric windows frame views, flood the interior with natural light, and create dramatic angular shadows that change throughout the day. In the evening, the warmly lit cedar interior transforms the cabin into a glowing lantern among the trees. Sustainable features include thickened walls with an R-value over 40, triple-glazed windows for passive insulation, and low-flow, low-energy fixtures. Credits Architects: Dubbeldam Architecture + Design Design Team: Heather Dubbeldam, Scott Sampson, Krystal Kramer Photography: Riley Snelling General Contractor: HLD Corporation (HLD Muskoka) Structural Engineer: Blackwell Structural Engineers