Professional stewardship and high-performance design for bespoke cottages in Muskoka.
Our Services
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Project Feasibility & Strategy
The Foundation of Informed Investment
We calibrate your vision against site and budget realities to establish a disciplined project framework before you commit to a full team or expensive design work.
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Owner's Representation
Independent Leadership from Project Inception to Move-In
We provide the "white-glove" oversight and site-level stewardship required to simplify complex delivery, manage the budget, and protect your investment.
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Engineering & Design Consulting
Integrated Technical and Architectural Design
Leveraging over a decade of design-build experience, we deliver technical drawings and durable assemblies that are as beautiful as they are buildable.
We focus on buildings that are meant to last 100 years.
Our work is rooted in the principles of traditional building: timeless materials, durable assemblies, and a disciplined attention to detail. We honed our approach to building through years as design-builders.
We have hands-on experience in every facet of building construction, which gives us a unique perspective in engineering and design.
We pair this practical experience with current best practices in structural engineering, envelope design, and building systems to create lake homes and cottages that will perform for generations.
Selected Design and Engineering Works
The following projects represent our commitment to integrated design and long-term performance. Unlike traditional design firms, each of these projects was personally designed, managed, and constructed by our team. This portfolio reflects a deep, practical understanding of how complex assemblies translate from the drawing board to the job site, a perspective that continues to inform our design and oversight work today.
Selected Owner’s Representation Projects
The following examples highlight our role as a professional advocate on projects designed by third-party firms. From start to finish, we acted for the owner to ensure stress free, clear, technically sound project delivery.
Project Case Study: Boathouse Renewal
Our Role: Owner’s Representation & Technical Oversight
The Project: A comprehensive renewal of a legacy waterfront structure, including crib stabilization, full envelope replacement (cladding and roofing), and dock and boat slip door upgrades.
The Challenge: This project was scheduled for construction over the winter, during which time the owners were located off-site and unable to oversee construction. The technical nature of crib restoration was outside of the owner’s wheelhouse.
Our Stewardship: Ruhl Builds acted as the owner’s representative and technical overseer. We bridged the geographic gap for the owners and provided the necessary technical oversight to guarantee their investment. We conducted regular site audits and provided concise, high-impact reporting to keep owners up to speed on progress and key decisions. By troubleshooting design conflicts in real-time and providing independent oversight of the structural assemblies, we ensured the boathouse was restored to a standard that will perform for another generation.
The Outcome: A technically sound, fully renewed structure delivered with zero daily administrative burden on the owner.
Project Case Study: New Residence at Lake of Bays
Our Role: Owner’s Representation & Design Specification
The Project: A new-build seasonal residence based on a builder’s catalog model.
The Challenge: The initial design lacked the technical detail and interior articulation required for a high-end build. The project required a complete design review to resolve spatial conflicts as well as a full suite of material specifications, custom millwork design, and structural layout modifications to suit the owner’s lifestyle.
Our Stewardship: We provided the necessary design articulation and made sure that the "catalog" start became a bespoke finished cottage. Following design refinements, we acted as the owner’s representative including managing thousands of communications, vetting payment requests and change orders, ultimately providing the owners with an independent "white glove" project delivery.
The Outcome: A streamlined, professional build where the owner remained at a strategic distance, confident that every technical detail and budget dollar was being expertly managed.
Navigate Your Build with Confidence
We accept a limited number of design and representation commissions each year to ensure a rigorous standard of stewardship. Get in touch to discuss your project goals and explore our approach to high-performance delivery.