modern cabin

over the river

2011-02-10T03:12:00.000-08:00

The cabin is reached by a pedestrian bridge. The 75' long, one piece, steel bridge spans across the river. Specially designed poured concrete bridge abutments are placed well beyond the river's edge for minimum disruption. The bridge carries not only occupants to the cabin it also carries electrical power. Other utilities, well and septic, are cleverly concealed in the landscape.

twilight

2011-02-09T16:39:00.001-08:00

The cabin is a welcome sight after the trek across the river.

interior finished photos

2011-02-09T16:37:00.000-08:00

Each and every board that went into the cabin had to be carried over the river and up the hill. We made thoughtful choices about the size of the cabin and the material selections. The hemlock timber trusses were transported in pieces and assembled on site. The trusses support a roof made of structural insulated panels (SIPs) an efficient combination of both structure and insulation. The roof supports a snow load of 70 pounds per square foot.

The floors, spiral stair, interior doors and claw foot tub are salvaged.
The same material, v-grove pine, was used on both the ceiling and walls. We varied the finish to differentiate walls from ceiling.

more cabin photos

2011-02-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

The rustic cabin sits on a small plateau overlooking the New Haven River and the Green Mountains beyond. Access to the cabin is by a steep foot path as well as a more gradual woods road. All of the building materials were hauled across the river and up the slope. The exterior siding and shutters are made of local rough sawn pine. The timber framed porch is constructed with round logs cleared from the building site.

another cabin

2011-02-02T14:35:00.001-08:00

I'd like to showcase another cabin. This rustic cabin, also in Lincoln, VT, is built on a remote site and accessed by a 75' long pedestrian bridge across the New Haven River. Both the design and construction of the cabin were carefully executed to make the most of the unique site and a tight budget. With a footprint of just over 600 square feet, the small cabin of sustainable design makes efficient use of resources and building materials. The interior of the cabin features locally milled and salvaged wood. The timbers are rough sawn hemlock, the boards on the walls, ceiling and the floors are pine. A south facing door with transom windows lets in lots of daylight.

modern cabin completed

2011-02-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

The modern cabin has been completed for just over one year. The cabin accommodates visiting friends and family and is also a place for an occasional overnight for ourselves. Our neighbors rented the cabin for some guests and a client of mine made a visit during the construction of their own project. The cabin sleeps a couple and up to four kids.

lighting

2010-03-09T14:56:00.001-08:00

The light fixtures by Resolute are well made and easy to install. The sconce is fluorescent.

finishing touches

2010-03-09T14:49:00.001-08:00

On a recent trip to Montreal we picked up a few things at IKEA. A curtain rod serves as an extra long towel bar, adjustable writing tables are used as night stands and a bookshelf by the front door will hold hats and mittens.

snow

2010-01-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

blog list

2009-12-19T04:17:00.000-08:00

Although construction of the Modern Cabin is complete, I will continue to post from time to time.

I've added three blogs to my blog list. The blogs recount the construction of other projects I have designed. The projects are located in Bristol and Stowe,Vermont and in Metaline Falls, Washington. Please take a look.

stone steps

2009-12-06T09:40:00.001-08:00

Blue stone steps make a gentle curving path to the entry.

interior finished photo

2009-10-22T16:42:00.001-07:00

grasses

2009-09-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

landscaping

2009-09-13T13:00:00.001-07:00

Stone steps and pavers along with potted grasses are ready to be installed. The Colby Hill Landscape Company will start this week.

shower door

2009-09-13T12:51:00.001-07:00

art

2009-09-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

The former owner of the property is an artist. I have hung three of her paintings in the new cabin.

deck railing

2009-09-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Both the steel cables and supports are custom made. The cables are self tensioning; the long run uses sleek turnbuckles. The plate in contact with the cedar and the lag screws are stainless steel.

furniture

2009-08-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

bathroom

2009-07-29T17:48:00.001-07:00

curtain

2009-07-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

A linen curtain on a stainless steel rod separates the sleeping alcove from the living space.

Ipe decking

2009-07-29T17:22:00.001-07:00

Andrew is installing the sustainably harvested Ipe decking with concealed fasteners.

2009-07-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

finally a floor plan

2009-05-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

The kitchen (top middle) and bedroom alcove (bottom right) are open to the living/dining area. The entry (top right) can double as a home office or extra sleeping space. The total footprint is 782 square feet. The space feels much larger due to the open plan and many windows.

solar evaluation

2009-05-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

Danielle and Joe of GroSolar use their solar site selector to determine the best place for pole mounted pv panels.

finish grading and shower tile

2009-05-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

The fiberglass window in the shower will withstand moisture. The jambs around the window are stone to match the limestone tile.

lighting

2009-05-14T05:56:00.000-07:00

East and south facing windows bring in lots of light. So much light comes in from the windows on all sides that electric light is not necessary during the day. The suspended ceiling fixture casts light down and up where it is reflected off the wood ceiling.

wood stove

2009-04-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year we selected a wood stove that we liked the looks of; it also fit our budget. The price at the time reflected the fact that the stove was discontinued and would no longer be available in the U.S. After much looking we have found what we were told is the last one in the country. We look forward to installing the Scan 60 wood stove soon.

control joints

2009-04-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

We cut control joints in the concrete slab at predetermined locations and at doorways to eliminate cracking in other areas of the floor. The close-up photos also show the variation in color.

kitchen cabinets

2009-04-05T09:57:00.001-07:00

The kitchen cabinets are installed and awaiting appliances. The 30" under counter refrigerator/freezer will be located on the right, the 24" range and hood on the left. The post and beam frame the kitchen alcove and echo the posts and beams at the porch on the exterior.

concrete color

2009-04-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

concrete floor

2009-03-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

This morning Mike Frost of Vermont Eco Floors worked his magic with stain on the concrete floors. Yesterday he ground and polished the concrete.

trim

2009-03-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Both the interior and exterior window trim are narrow. The ash trim on the inside frames the pine windows. The red cedar trim on the outside frames the fiberglass cladding on the windows and together with the siding and roof overhang creates interesting shadows. One interior wall will be clad in ash with a profile that mimics the exterior siding.

interior finish

2009-03-25T16:14:00.000-07:00

Inside the concrete floors are protected while walls are painted and wood ceiling is installed.

deck framing

2009-03-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Last week Andrew and Dave framed the deck. The framing cantilevers over the slope to the East and wraps around to the South side of the cabin. The deck on the West side is covered by the roof.

mud season

2009-03-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

The siding has been completed and the drywall taping is in progress. The roads are posted so deliveries of materials need to be scheduled for cold mornings. Andrew will begin framing the deck next week.

siding and radiant tubing

2009-03-08T07:28:00.001-07:00

The radiant heat tubing and concrete slab are going in inside while Andrew and Dave put up the cedar siding on the exterior.

insulation

2009-02-15T09:39:00.001-08:00

standing seam metal roof

2009-02-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

roofing

2009-02-06T16:01:00.001-08:00

Jay finished the standing seam metal roofing today. He made it look easy and fast by putting the drip cap up one day, putting the pans on another day and seaming it today. There was a lot of snow shoveling in between.

We talked with Ed Burke of Rocky Dale Gardens about a green roof but opted for metal. I'd like to do one someday. Ed reccomended a book on green roofs by a man named Snodgrass.

kitchen faucet

2009-02-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

Sage at Close to home suggested this faucet. It is made by an italian company - Gessi. Their products are similar to Dornbracht in styling and quality but less expensive. Thanks Sage.

roof overhang

2009-02-03T13:42:00.000-08:00

bath plumbing fixtures

2009-02-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

Duravit came through with their special super secret login information. Pictured here are the toilet, vanity and shower pan. The sink that I have chosen has a smaller bowl and more "counter" space on the sides.

faucets

2009-02-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

The plumbers are roughing in for the fixtures and faucets. Yesterday Andrew and and I test fit the shower base. I'll post more pictures as soon as Duravit gives me security clearance.

Last week I visited Red Concrete. I am considering using a concrete countertop with integral concrete sink in the tiny kitchen.

entry porch

2009-01-31T12:27:00.000-08:00

The roof extends to create a covered entry porch. Fir posts and beams support the roof. The under side of the roof (or soffit) is finished with rough sawn cedar v-groove boards with a semi-transparent stain.

windows are in

2009-01-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

The soffit and fascia on the roof are nearly complete and the windows are in.

comments

2009-01-04T11:48:00.000-08:00

We'd love to hear your comments. One way to leave a comment is to click on "comments". Under select profile choose "name/url"; type your name and leave url blank. Thanks.

interior

2009-01-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

lots of snow

2008-12-22T08:56:00.000-08:00

framing

2008-12-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

Andrew, Dave and Ian have been framing for two weeks in a typical Vermont winter. They have enjoyed freezing rain, sleet, big snow and high winds.The first day it warmed up to 6 degrees F by noon. Two days later it was 45 degrees F and windy. Andrew recognized that "this would be way too easy in the summer". Having four pair of gloves helps and the nail guns go into the truck to thaw on the dashboard (defroster on high) to keep them happy.

model

2008-12-18T10:49:00.001-08:00

The cardboard study model shows the form of the cabin and the size and layout of the windows and doors. A single sloping roof plane defines open kitchen, living and sleeping areas. Large south and east facing windows frame views of the Green Mountains.

inspiration

2008-12-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

Last year Andrew and I stayed in the Aviary cottage at Twins Farms in Barnard,VT. This one bedroom luxury retreat complete with a hot tub in front of the fireplace was an inspiration for our more modest cabin in the woods. At Twin Farms we enjoyed the private setting of the cottage and the walking paths that meandered through the woods and meadows.

just getting started

2008-12-17T16:17:00.000-08:00

We have recently begun building a modern cabin in the woods in Lincoln, VT. I've set up this blog so that family friends and clients can follow the construction process.