Modern Cabin Brings Industrial Look to Forest
A modern cabin brings an industrial look to the forest with its cantilevered design in Minnesota.
A second-story box extends over the entrance of Jewel Box Cabin, a 900-square-foot home designed by Imprint Architecture and Design on the wooded shore of Caribou Lake in Lutsen, Minnesota. The cabin has two bedrooms, an open living area, a screened porch, and a flexible upstairs space.
A Modern Industrial Look
The cabin’s distinctive cantilevered upper floor juts out over the ground level, forming a protected entryway. Adjacent to the door, a steel container filled with firewood not only anchors the overhanging design but also enhances privacy.
The exterior blends corrugated metal with natural cedar on the lower level. Architects opted for metal due to its durability and recycled content, while the cedar received a water-based stain treatment.
Connecting With Nature
Inside, the living area boasts high ceilings with exposed fir beams and expansive windows that encircle the room, flooding the space with light and offering views of the lake and surrounding trees.
A wood-burning stove and radiant floor heating beneath polished concrete ensure warmth during Minnesota’s harsh winters. Exposed beams and plywood surfaces integrate natural elements into the minimalist interior.
The kitchen and dining area are in the same open space. They feature white cabinetry, a compact arrangement of appliances, and a dining table near the windows.
A notable feature is the large sliding plywood door on the main floor, which can enclose the upper level to enhance privacy without permanently dividing the space.
A plywood staircase ascends to the second floor, where Imprint Architecture and Design has efficiently arranged two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a flexible area within 385 square feet. At the stairhead, a plywood bookshelf beside a large window creates a reading nook with forest views, serving as a shared space for the upstairs rooms.
The bedrooms are snug, with plywood closets for storage. Large windows illuminate the rooms and provide upper-level vistas of the forest and lake.
Outdoor Living
A door from the living area leads to a screened porch, offering an outdoor dining and seating area among the trees. Mesh-covered openings allow airflow while keeping insects at bay.
Positioned beneath the projecting upper floor, the porch has a covered ceiling and views into the surrounding woodland.
The architects designed the cabin to limit its impact on the lakeside property. They positioned it to use existing land contours and drainage, limiting clearing near the shore. The building was oriented to benefit from winter sunlight and summer cooling breezes. Large windows reduce the need for artificial lighting, while passive cooling eliminates the need for air conditioning.
Jewel Box Cabin brings these ideas together in a small building. Its two-story layout, sheltered outdoor space, and extensive windows accommodate practical needs while maintaining close views of the forest.
