Build the Unbuildable — Lakeside Architecture Inc

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.

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Build the Unbuildable — Lakeside Architecture Inc

What is Build the Unbuildable?

September 22, 2025 • Lakeside Architecture Inc.

0:00 | 2:52

If you’ve ever dreamed about building a lakeside cottage or marveled at those stunning boathouses dotting Ontario’s shorelines, this show is for you. In this trailer video, host John Tyreman introduces Build the Unbuildable and his co-host, architect James Pitropov of Lakeside Architecture Inc. Together, they preview what’s to come — from stories of nostalgia and family traditions on the lake to the rise of new cottagers seeking serenity and million-dollar views.

Subscribe now and join us behind the scenes of cottage country design and construction. You’ll never look at the shoreline the same way again.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction to Lakeside Architecture Podcast
00:26 Why Build Cottages on a Lake?
01:27 Categories of Cottage Owners
02:21 Subscribe to Build the Unbuildable

Learn more at https://lakesidearchitecture.ca/

John Tyreman 0:02

If you've ever dreamed about building a cottage on the lake or just wondered how people pull off those stunning boat houses you see from the water, you are in the right place. I'm John Tyreman and I'm co-hosting a new podcast with architect James Pitropov from Lakeside Architecture. Each episode will take you behind the scenes of what it really takes to design and build some of the most challenging sites. In Ontario Cottage Country. So James, let me ask you, uh, why do people want to build. Cottages on a lake. What's so attractive to that as opposed to building on a mountain or by the sea.

James Pitropov 0:38

Well, John, you're, you're asking the right question. So, at Lakeside Architecture, we've been fortunate enough to be. Uh, have landed in in cottage country and a lot of our projects are on the Muskoka Lakes here in Ontario, Kawartha Lakes as well, Georgia Bay. In a lot of cases, uh, cottages that come to me and are, are looking for, for beautiful design ideas. They may have grown up, uh, being cottages. Their families were cottages. They have great memories being kids, boating, fishing, uh, exploring on the lakes, bonfires usually with family and friends and relatives. So there's a really great. Experience that they've, they've had on the lake and they, they want to get it back and share that with their kids and their family and their, their friends and so on. So that seems to be, uh, one category. And, and they, they love being on the water because it offers it all. You can. There's a swimming and there's the fishing and the boating and a sense of, of openness. You're on the edge of it all. The second category, are what I would call the new cos. And they've lived in the city for a while and, uh, usually fairly successful at, whatever they particularly do and realize now that they can work remotely and why not, work away from the stress of the city and crowds and, The urban environment and be set back on a lake at least, several days, a, a week if, if not most days, and have a calm view. And people, uh, seem to love it. They may or may not be the, the boating types, but they like the serenity of being away from it all, and they love their room with the million dollar view.

John Tyreman 2:20

Totally. And whether you are in that first camp who is nostalgic about boating and lakeside cottages, or whether you're new to Cottaging and you're exploring the idea of building a a lakeside cottage of your own, subscribe to the show, follow along, you'll never look at the shoreline the same way again.