Single-Family Residential

Completed in 2019, a new rear addition introduces a contemporary counterpoint to the richly detailed heritage house. Deeply set back and reading visually as two storeys in height, the simplified rectangular form contrasts with the formally complex historic fabric. The addition is wrapped in oversized zinc tiles with a matte black finish, while an inset...

ERA was engaged to design a home that feels rooted in its rural landscape while thoughtfully framing its surroundings. The design process centred on comfort, connection to nature, and the County’s character. Working closely with the homeowner, ERA developed a design that balances privacy with openness to the landscape. This nearly 3,000-square-foot, two-storey cottage in Prince...

Snider House, originally built in 1828, is the oldest surviving building in North Toronto and was designated a heritage property in 1979. Over nearly two centuries, the one-and-a-half-storey brick cottage has undergone numerous alterations, gradually evolving alongside its surroundings, from rural to urban. The most recent renovation was carefully designed by GPA, with ERA advising...

Granite Pines Retreat is a striking three-bedroom seasonal retreat, tucked among a quiet community of low-lying islands on the western edge of the Georgian Bay archipelago. Surrounded by windswept pines, shimmering water, and timeless granite stone, the cottage blends seamlessly into the rugged northern landscape. Drawing inspiration from the traditional Canadian cottage typology, the design...

Set in a forested neighbourhood enclave where vintage homes meet modern retreats, this striking chalet blends traditional Austrian alpine architecture with a contemporary edge. Located in the Georgian Bay community of The Blue Mountains, just minutes from winter’s snow-covered ski slopes, ERA was engaged to design a new winter family getaway intended to embrace its...

Located on an outer island within the Georgian Bay Archipelago, ERA was tasked with developing a small-scale master plan for this undeveloped five-acre island to evoke a sense of togetherness while offering distinctly private accommodations for visiting guests. The family compound includes a 3,000 square-foot main cottage, serving as the central hub and reception space...

This spectacular ravine site in Lytton Park had a complex and unresolved architectural pedigree. The original residence, a compact 1940s stone cottage, received an ambitious but compromised modernist addition in the 1970s.  ERA was asked to stitch the two eras and architectures together into a more cohesive whole. ERA’s custom residential studio excelled at finding...

Pinewood Cottage, located on Ojibway Island, represents a respectful reimagining of a site with a rich history. The only remaining feature of the original cottage was a tall, free-standing fieldstone chimney and fireplace from a previous structure —  a compact three-bedroom cottage that had burned down in the early 80s. The ERA team took on...

Nordic-style saunas are a fixture of Canadian cottage life. They inspire physical and mental wellbeing in their users and offer an increasingly rare luxury: a private wellness retreat in which one might completely disconnect from the modern world’s distractions. ERA was pleased to work closely with the owner of a private island to design a...

Adjacent to the open expanse of Georgian Bay, three modest cabins were dramatically transformed to enhance the qualities of their island setting. The primary cabin’s kitchen replaced a covered porch dramatically opening the main living space. An addition provided a utility room, washroom, and mudroom, while a timber-framed screened porch, and a large, glazed sitting...

The Bijou Island compound, which includes a historic main cottage, a secondary cottage, a bunkie, and a boathouse, is nestled deep within the archipelago on a tiny island of just 0.6 acres. The first phase of the project focused on overhauling the main cottage. The new owner wanted to improve the cottage’s layout, make it...

This early 20th century Eden Smith designed residence in Wychwood Park had seen many alterations, additions, and conversion to apartments when the new owners purchased it and asked ERA to consult on an authentic restoration. Sited within the Wychwood Park Heritage Conservation District, but also facing a municipal street (Alcina Ave), both the park and...