Rural Muskoka-Parry Sound has experienced a loss of industry, infrastructure, and population. As a consequence, heritage structures that have informed the identity of this region have begun to rot away and be reclaimed by the landscape that they were once dedicated to taming. With the upcoming mining renaissance, these disconnected villages face a new problem: how do they build/adapt these spaces for an upcoming population boom while staying true to their built heritage that has informed their identity for the last century? “This North Country” reflects on the “what once was” while asking “what comes next?”  

By repurposing materials collected from various forgotten sites of heritage and industry and bringing them to a central location, this project proposes implanting a new space for both the new and current community to gather and celebrate these spaces that were once important spaces of heritage in the local area. Situated on a central site along the Magnetawan river and the original trail that connected the region, this project proposes to reopen the historical docks, repurpose the historical church into a multipurpose community centre, and open other spaces that facilitate community gathering and engagement as the population grows. This space would be flexible and grow with the needs of the population, allowing for bits and pieces to either manifest or return to the natural environment as the community sees fit, continuing the cycle of giving and taking from the natural landscape.