A weekend house intended to become a retirement home, the occupants are a three generation family, kids, parents and (in winters) grand parents. The exterior design compliments the adjacent historic Union Steamship summer cottage also owned by the family. The main floor plan accommodates a wheel chair user with master bedroom, bath and kitchen all designed for accessibility. Overlooking Snug Cove, the primary rooms face south on to a large deck. With family requirements to retain four large cedar trees on the site, the house plan was set within this grove using some point foundations to minimize root damage. The upper floor includes three bedrooms and a compartmentalized bathroom. Under the roof are ladder accessed loft spaces for kids’ play and over flow guest sleeping. Exterior materials included typical Island cladding (shingles, bevelled-Hardie Board-siding, and a patterned asphalt shingle roof). Aluminum windows with equal sash dimensions on casements addressed the need for a low maintenance home without compromising the look of traditional wood windows. This home provides enough space to accommodate large family gatherings while maintaining a small scale cozy atmosphere.