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Glasgow designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are on a mission to discover the lengths people will go to, in order to create their perfect city escape. But in this programme the focus is on ecological style and the use of one dominant building material within the construction. You can be sure they'll be introducing us to some facinating and fabulous properties along the way.

For over a decade now, this Scots design duo have been travelling the globe renovating people's houses and advising on interior design. Their love of the outdoors, combined with their continued roles as lifestyle gurus to the stars, sees them well placed to introduce us to some of the most exclusive properties in the North American Wilderness.

Great Escapes with Colin and Justin offers us a rare guided tour around these dream homes. From hidden island cabins, to log lodges and eco homes, these are not only beautiful to behold, but provide an insight into how sustainable materials can be utilised to produce architecturally significant retreats.

In the first episode we are introduced to a non-traditional cabin home and photographer's studio, built over a boat house on the shore of Stoney Lake. As first impressions go it's impressive.

"Where else can you actually have a bath while you wave at passing boaters?"

It's a re-imagining of the conventional lakeside cabins which neighbour this shoreline, but built completely in glass. On entering the grounds to the property Justin's eyes are quickly drawn to the giant granite blocks prominently situated around the entrance to the property. Owner and photographer, Larry Williams, proudly explains how the blocks date back over 3 billion years... which quite frankly is mind-blowing, as Justin quips, "That's even older than Colin!"

This house reflects boundary free, open plan living and is designed with light and ambience at the foremost of mind. In fact, one of the noticeable features of this home is that it has the look and feel of an art gallery. So it is unsurprising to hear that this was one of the main criteria for the architect in the design. Colin appropriately describes the home as, "1800 square feet of absolute purity and tranquillity."

The interior is an ode to minimalism enhanced through the use of ground to ceiling windows which usher in the natural light. The use of ferrous free glass removes any green tinge from the light entering the house, allowing for a purer light which also enhances the internal connection to the external environment. For Larry it's the ultimate daylight studio.

A spectacular retreat for any avid photographer. Larry states, "It's not about the house itself, when you're here after a while the building disappears." This is exactly how a building blends into its environment.