Project Nahma – Phase 1

Our Nahma Lodge project is situated on Balsam Lake. Few will know this interesting factoid, but Balsam Lake is famous for being the highest ocean-navigable body of water on earth! As the highest point on the Trent-Severn Waterway, water flows out of Balsam at one end near Kirkfield and at the other end at Rosedale which are both connection points with the Waterway.

Aerial view of Balsam Lake

It would only be fitting that a true one-of-a-kind project would ultimately find itself situated on these shores. A project that we are proud to lend our design vision and project skills to, in creating not only what can be described as architectural art, but an interesting and innovative lifestyle concept at the same time.

Nahma Lodge has been in Pj’s family since the fall of 1940/spring 1941 as a family cottage. Pj’s parents and brother Andrew, operated a lodge, marina, Ski Doo Dealership and boat storage on the property which is still in operation today. Even after the build, the property will continue its tradition of being an access point for the many lake families and visitors by providing a boat launch. Pj also has plans for summer 2025 to open a coffee shop in the original log building!

 The property is well known on Balsam and over the decades both residents and lake visitors have experienced the friendly and welcoming hospitality of Nahma staff. The original log building where Pj and brother were raised, is still standing right beside the new structure. Pj and Al’s daughter, son-in-law and grandsons will continue to enjoy Nahma and welcome people for years to come.

A view of the original Nahma Lodge located to the left

PJ and Al had a dream to build their family home on the same site as the marina. This would be the step to complete a vision of great-grandfather (Spencer) and grandmother (Lina), father Dave and mom Aileen, for the family to stay on the shores of Balsam Lake. It would be a multi-generational residence, with both shared and separate spaces inside and out for the entire family. Enter Al. Al is a Mechanical Engineer with a mind for tinkering and with a fascination of how things are made. He visualizes and creates automata, moving mechanical self-operating wooden machines, which he delved more into after his career. Being a renaissance man, allows Al to creatively think outside the box and his vision and wish list for the Nahma project is unlike any other project we have worked on! 

Using leading edge technology, the home will be approximately 8,000 sq feet containing three homes in one. There will be a home for Aileen the family matriarch, a home for Pj and Al and finally a full home for Laura and Jeff plus their two children Darren and Ian. The overall space will marry common areas as well as private separate zones.

Exterior rendering

Phase 1 under construction

Front entry view will feature glass doors lending an impactful view through to the lake

Pj and Al approached us to come up with an original and customized design. We were to work closely with the steel fabricator, design the home from top to bottom, and select all the finishes.

An expansive view of some of the steel work

With such a unique opportunity at hand, it was important to us to spend as much time getting to know the family and understanding their vision and goals. We needed to stay true to honouring the spirit of the original home and marry that to Al’s directive with a modern design and at the same time the couple wanted to layer in their penchant for antiques and pine furniture. This would be a direct juxtaposition with the modern concept but will end up being part of the eclectic result and would keep the build highly personalized to the family’s taste and desired aesthetic.

Living spaces shaping up

We also had the added role of taking Laura and Jeff’s request into account for a practical space for a growing family and one that would extend into the common areas as this family enjoy sharing time with one another. With all of the marching orders, wish lists, creative brainstorming and vision boards in hand, we created a large central living space which includes a fireplace sitting area that won’t be for the faint of heart. A dining area that can accommodate both formal and intimate settings will also be included along with a kitchen island expressly for entertaining. The kitchen will have a formal feel and will lead into a pantry that will be unlike any other with all the amenities!

Kitchen rendering

Pantry rendering located off the kitchen main entertaining zone

Then, imagine a 26’ tall curtain wall of wall-to-wall windows as the crown jewel making the entire space sparkle.

The expansive curtain wall of windows

Exterior window wall view

One of the more unique and interesting features will be a round window that will give the primary bedroom a beautiful view of the fireplace wall.

Bedroom window with a view to fireplace wall

The window is a tension producing visual, that one would certainly not expect on an internal bedroom wall! Other showstopper features will be a pathway bridge overlooking the main curtain wall that will connect two separate living spaces.

Crossover connecting two separate living spaces

A closer look at the expansive fireplace wall

A rendering of future state

There will be an elevator as well, with an automata installation that will work with the elevator and another view of the round window, this time in the main space. This particular point of interest will be a nod to the marina, or depending on your take, reminiscent of the Battlestar Galactica! We love that Al’s mechanical influence and jumping off points, are creating such drama and industrial effect within the overall design!

The curtain wall of windows with round window internal feature

But this is what we absolutely love about this project, is the creative license and broad area in which we have been able to plan to come up with a truly unique and special space.

Working with Four Points Construction, a Kawartha builder, has been a smooth partnership. This wonderful working relationship extends to the other contractors responsible for infrastructure and millwork.

One glitch that we all quickly overcame, was the bankruptcy of the steel fabricating company just as the last pieces were being shipped. Surprisingly this only made for a short delay and between Al and Chad, the project lead, all was back on track. Despite the magnitude and complexity of this project, we are trending to budget and are able to find savings in a few areas. Timing wise, we are hoping to have the family enjoying Christmas at the cottage! Drywall is currently underway and we look forward to starting the finishing details which we can’t wait to share with you in Phase 2 of our blog post!

Steel fabrication on display

Upon completion, the home will consist of warm woods which will provide a back-drop for Pj and Al’s character pieces. Pj will push the limits no doubt with how we integrate her many antiques! However, we look forward to creating and installing to make each space connect. Framed by Canadian granite on the outside with natural wood siding, this will create a stunning presence at the shoreline. The HVAC system is high efficiency and rough ins for solar and future electric vehicles are also being installed. A focus on Canadian products will be prevalent throughout all sourcing efforts.

Stairwell view to second floor bedrooms, office and bathrooms

Exterior finish inspiration and jumping off point

The view will be the star on reveal day and Project Nahma will be a true example of building innovation, structural creativity and boundless imagination! We cannot wait to share the final product with you, our readers, and look forward to the many photos we can share with you.

The expansive view and positioning of the home