CPD Journal · Sustainable Design
Building with intention.
Sustainable cottages and vacation homes are becoming increasingly popular as more buyers become aware of the benefits of sustainable features in the design process. Designers are responding by incorporating everything from solar panels and greywater systems to rainwater harvesting and green roofs — and thanks to advances in technology, these features are becoming more efficient and less expensive to implement.
§ 01 · The Demand
What's driving sustainable cottage design?
Luxury home buyers are increasingly mindful of their impact on the environment. A recent study by the National Association of Realtors found that 61% of home buyers were interested in sustainable features — and that number continues to grow.More and more, buyers are opting for sustainable homes as a way to reduce their environmental impact. As of August 2021, humanity officially overshot the Earth’s carrying capacity — human demand for natural resources outstripped what the planet can provide. Sustainable vacation homes are one meaningful response.Sourcing local materials within your new cottage or vacation home build can also create a strong sense of place — grounding the building in its landscape rather than sitting apart from it.
MORGAN BAY BOATHOUSE · CPD · Lake Rosseau
WALKERS POINT BOATHOUSE · CPD · Georgian Bay
§ 02 · The Features
What's being incorporated into sustainable house design?
Being purposeful within the design process to ensure the house will have a small ecological footprint is one of the most important aspects of eco-friendly home design. Every system, every material choice, and every orientation decision has a cumulative effect.Water. Rainwater harvesting systems collect and store rainfall for irrigation, cleaning, and drinking — reducing reliance on municipal sources. Greywater systems recycle water from showers and sinks for toilets and landscaping. Low-flow fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping complete the picture.Energy. Solar power, solar water heaters, and a well-designed thermal envelope reduce your draw from the grid. Understanding your home’s energy needs and designing to meet them is one of the most impactful decisions you can make at the outset.
§ 03 · Building Materials
Choosing with intention.
When it comes to eco-friendly homes, sustainable materials are key. Popular choices include rammed earth, adobe, bamboo, wood, and recycled and upcycled materials.Rammed earth is compressed natural soil — durable and made from what’s already on site. Adobe, made from mud, straw, and water, suits hot and dry climates. Bamboo grows quickly with minimal water or pesticides. Wood can be sustainably sourced from certified forests. Recycled and repurposed materials are low-impact by nature.Beyond performance, sustainable materials add warmth to interiors that synthetics can’t replicate. Bamboo floors are beautiful and durable. Wool and cork add natural texture and acoustic comfort.
LAKE VERNON GARAGE · CPD · Lake Vernon
§ 04 · The Benefits
Building for the people inside — and the planet outside.
When built sustainably, vacation homes come with a number of additional benefits beyond environmental impact — improved indoor air quality, natural lighting, and better acoustics. Research is showing more and more how important these factors are to our overall health and wellbeing.A healthy home starts with airtightness. Our preferred strategy uses Huber ZIP R Sheathing, taped at the seams and sealed around windows, followed by AeroBarrier to close any remaining gaps during framing. The result is a building envelope that breathes only through its mechanical system.The HVAC system is the second most important consideration. An ERV brings in clean air while filtering stale interior air; the mechanical system itself conditions and distributes it. We recommend zoning — splitting the living spaces from the bedrooms makes a meaningful difference in comfort. Low-VOC paint and natural materials like wood and wool complete a home that performs as well as it looks.
§ 05 · Final Thoughts
A home designed to last.
If you’re considering investing in a vacation home, sustainable features should be high on your list of priorities. Not only will they help to reduce your ecological footprint, but they can also add a touch of luxury to your home. This way of building is designed to stand the test of time — meaning you can enjoy your eco-friendly vacation home for years to come.Corbin Patten Designs specializes in sustainable vacation homes in the Muskoka and Georgian Bay area. Founder Corbin Patten has a lifetime of expertise and understanding of the cottage and boathouse way of life, having grown up on Lake Rosseau.
Ready to build sustainably?
We take on a small number of projects each year. The best time to start is before you need us.
