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Build the Unbuildable — Lakeside Architecture Inc

Build the Unbuildable — Lakeside Architecture Inc

By: Lakeside Architecture Inc.
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Some of the most beautiful architecture in the world is found in Ontario’s cottage country — perched on granite outcrops, tucked into forests, and standing proudly over the water. But behind every stunning boathouse and lakeside retreat lies a story of vision, challenge, and craftsmanship.


Build the Unbuildable takes listeners behind the scenes of what it really takes to design and construct these one-of-a-kind projects. Hosted by John Tyreman with architect James Pitropov of Lakeside Architecture, the show blends aspirational lifestyle with an insider’s look at the “how.” Episodes explore site selection, design challenges, environmental considerations, and the art of creating cottages that feel timeless yet functional.


Whether you’re a new cottager imagining your dream getaway, a seasoned lakeside family looking to expand, or simply someone fascinated by the intersection of nature and architecture, this show offers both inspiration and practical insight. Subscribe and follow along. You’ll never look at the shoreline the same way again.

© 2025 Lakeside Architecture Inc.
Episodes
  • Steep Sites, Smart Design: Build Without Losing Your View (Or Your Mind)

    Steep Sites, Smart Design: Build Without Losing Your View (Or Your Mind)
    Oct 28 2025

    Building your dream cottage on a steep lakefront lot might seem impossible—but it’s not. In this episode of Build the Unbuildable, architect James Pitropov and co-host John Tyreman unpack the art and science of designing for topography. From strategic surveying and ICF foundations to retaining walls, terraces, and multi-level layouts, James explains how thoughtful design can transform vertical challenges into breathtaking opportunities.

    You’ll also learn why early collaboration—with surveyors, engineers, and municipalities—can make or break a steep-site project, and how regulatory hurdles like Committee of Adjustment approvals can be navigated with creativity and confidence.

    Whether you’re dreaming of a lakefront retreat or planning a major rebuild, this episode will help you see steep sites not as obstacles—but as the foundation for something extraordinary.

    CHAPTERS:
    00:00 Welcome
    01:09 Kawartha Cottage
    06:30 Regulatory Committees
    09:55 Original Structure
    13:00 Elevation Map
    19:21 Cottage Country
    25:45 The build
    30:45 Cutting Into The Terrain
    36:23 How To Break Down A Site
    46:16 Working Within A Short Construction Season
    53:11 Conclusion
    56:03 Free PDF Guide

    Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pitropov-783029156/
    Learn more: https://lakesidearchitecture.ca/

    Learn more at https://lakesidearchitecture.ca/
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • Renovate or Rebuild: What to Do When the Old Cottage Can’t Keep Up

    Renovate or Rebuild: What to Do When the Old Cottage Can’t Keep Up
    Oct 14 2025

    Should you renovate or rebuild your lakeside cottage?

    On this episode, Principal Architect James Pitropov and co-host John Tyreman explore how to decide what’s worth saving—from family memories to grandfathered footprints—in your lakeside cottage. Featuring a stunning Georgian Bay project in Killarney, this episode shows how thoughtful design can turn limitations into possibilities.

    CHAPTERS:
    00:00 Introduction
    01:38 Renovating vs Rebuilding
    07:30 Additional Challenges
    10:45 Regulatory Complications
    14:57 Projecting Cost
    20:15 Site Story Segment
    20:53 Georgian Bay Renovation with Environmental Restrictions
    28:01 Considerations for Building on Sites With Constraints
    30:12 Design Your Dream Home Guide

    Learn more: https://lakesidearchitecture.ca/
    Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pitropov-783029156/

    Learn more at https://lakesidearchitecture.ca/
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Building A House On An Island: Challenges, Best Practices, and Examples

    Building A House On An Island: Challenges, Best Practices, and Examples
    Oct 1 2025

    Design Your Dream Home Guide:

    In this episode of Build The Unbuildable, James Pitropov, Principal at Lakeside Architecture Inc, shares his experience building on some of the most challenging sites in Ontario's cottage country; islands. How do you transport equipment and materials? What is the environmental impact? What should be factored into the design of such a cottage? We answer all these questions and more.

    CHAPTERS:
    00:00 Introduction
    00:53 Challenges of Building on an Island
    01:20 Logistics and Design Considerations
    07:21 Environmental Impact and Considerations
    12:49 Powering a Lakeside Cottage
    17:55 Case Study: Bass Island Cottage
    25:04 Designing Your Dream Home
    30:26 Conclusion and Contact Information

    Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pitropov-783029156/
    Learn more about Lakeside Architecture Inc: https://lakesidearchitecture.ca/

    Learn more at https://lakesidearchitecture.ca/
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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