SMALL CABIN DESIGN Tiny Traditionals to Compact Contemporaries!
Small cabin design -- done well -- successfully balances form and function. Given the spatial and budgetary limitations within which designers must often work, a great deal of thought is required to create a plan that max- imizes use of interior space AND provides visual appeal. The examples featured here offer plenty of both!
Design above by Allison Ramsey Architects (Photo Credit: Jean Allsopp)
For example, the wood frame cabin at right is anchored by a massive outdoor corner fireplace made of river
stones, giving it a truly distinctive "larger than life" appearance that defies its small stature!
From tiny traditional (below left) to compact contemporary (below right) designs, there is a style and floor
plan to appeal to virtually everyone.
Exterior cladding varies widely and is often dictated by the architectural style. For example, the glass
walled contempory design pictured above, right, contrasts sharply with the col- ored horizontal
clapboard siding
on the traditional design at right. The two designs that follow are also clad with clapboard siding. However,
the natural finish gives them more of a rustic look and feel.
Another type of cladding, particularly with traditional designs, is vertically oriented
board and batten siding,
shown in the following two designs. Once again, while the example on the left has a painted finish, the cabin
on the right sports a natural finish to give it a more rustic look.
The
Shingle Style
cottage pictured below follows a long-standing tradition that began on the East coast in the latter part of the
nineteenth century and quickly spread westward to California. Popular to this day, the style is virtually
timeless.
The log cabin is another building type that never seems to go out of style. Despite having been in existence
in many parts of the world for centuries, its timeless appeal never wanes. The fine example at right and below
pro- vides a strong testament to its ongo- ing popularity!
Combined with stone, the log cabin design pictured below is a veritable architectural masterpiece . . .
leav- ing little doubt as to why this par- ticular building type remains so pop- ular to the present day!
Colorado residence, above, by bhh Partners Planners/Architects
And finally, for a contemporary twist on an old theme, the unique log de- sign that follows is indicative of
the possibilities that can be achieved with this age-old building type!
Contemporary cabin, above, by Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek
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