Cabin, Cottage & Camp: New Designs on the Canadian Landscape

This exhibition explores the varied themes that surround contemporary ‘homes away’ through a broad survey of contemporary designs across the Canadian landscape. Whether cabin, cottage, camp or cabane, these places of retreat hold a deeply rooted, even mythical, presence in the national psyche. As we in Canada become increasingly urban and culturally diffuse, these places often stand as significant touchstones of escape, immediacy and relief.

Exploration of the theme is illustrated in the work of Canada’s most distinguished architects and designers, including those special instances where the project has been undertaken for the designer’s own use. The work canvasses a broad spectrum of circumstances and degrees of resolve. In all cases designs are framed and embraced by the compelling attributes of the Canadian countryside.

The exhibition should appeal to architects, designers and all those who have been touched by the special experience of having cottage or cabin give shelter while offering a measure of the surrounding landscape.

With projects by Battersby Howat, Peter Cardew Architect, Herbert Enns, Jim Huffman, Kohn Shrier Architects, Ian Macdonald Architect, Brian MacKay-Lyons Architect, Florian Maurer Architect, Patkau Architects, Peter Pragnell & Anthony Belcher, Shim Sutcliffe Architects, and Pierre Thibault Architecte.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a symposium and discussion: Building Craft. This event has been scheduled to consider the interplay of design ambition with construction culture. Local architect Peter Cardew will moderate presentations by exhibition participants considering this issue in the context of their own recent work. 11:00 AM Saturday 2nd April at the Emily Carr Institute.

Related publication with contributions by Christopher Macdonald, Herbert Enns, and Peter Prangnell.