For over two decades, a family made memories in their charming lake house on Kalamalka Lake — summer days on the water, late-night singalongs, and annual backyard parties. But after twenty years, the home needed a new life — something that honoured its nostalgic charm while stepping into a fresh, modern chapter.

Architectural designer Nathan Buhler from BLDG Workshop, a Toronto-based design firm and interior designer Adrianne Bailie based in British Columbia were brought in through a referral from a past client — and together, they crafted something truly personal: a breezy, beachy retreat with “toes in the sand” vibes that feels both brand new and deeply familiar.

Why NewTechWood? It Just Fit

This wasn’t the team’s first time using NewTechWood. As Nathan shared:

“It’s kind of become the go-to in its category. We’ve worked with similar products, but NewTech really stands out.”

For this lakefront renovation, NewTechWood’s Red Cedar profiles checked all the right boxes: durability, visual warmth, and — most importantly — it didn’t scream “fake wood.” Adrianne recalled the clients’ first reaction:

“They were thrilled. They didn’t want anything that looked artificial, and this had the closest feel to real wood.”

Designing with Purpose (and Privacy)

One of the biggest design challenges? Creating privacy from the neighbours without blocking the lakefront views — especially during summer BBQs and family gatherings.

BLDG Workshop leaned into clever, layered design to solve this, using a combination of NewTechWood profiles to strike the perfect balance:

Small composite beams (UH17) act as visual screens, offering privacy without creating a solid wall.

Large beams (UH26) define the outdoor kitchen and dining space, offering structure and elegance.

Belgian cladding (UH58) wraps the garage door and frames key windows, tying everything together with warmth and texture. 

From Sawdust to Sanctuary

As often happens in renovations, the team hit a major surprise early on. What was supposed to be a simple update turned into a near-rebuild when contractors discovered the foundation was poured over old sawdust — a relic from the home’s history on an old lumber mill site.

Nathan laughed:
“We maybe kept the garage. Everything else had to be rethought.”

Despite the setback, BLDG Workshop stayed true to the original spirit of the home. The silhouette from the lake side remained. But the interiors were opened up, lightened, and modernised with natural materials, organic textures, and soft landscaping.

“We wanted that harmony between structure and softness,” Adrianne explained. “They’re a musical family. They love to host. So the design had to support both intimacy and celebration.”

Creative Backyard Privacy Ideas, Realised

This project is a masterclass in modern backyard privacy ideas. By using NewTechWood creatively — not just as cladding, but as screening, structure, and detail — BLDG Workshop and Adrianne Bailie delivered a thoughtful, emotional renovation that gives the homeowners privacy without compromise.

So if you’re dreaming of a privacy fence for decks or wondering how to elevate a privacy wall into something artful, take a page from this project: let the view in, keep the noise out, and let the materials do the talking.

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