Methow Cabin

Site

A sparse meadow adjacent to a network of cross-country skiing trails on the valley floor.

Program

A small retreat serving as a base for cross-country skiing and mountain biking. The owners wished to accommodate 6-8 people with a communal area for gathering and dining.

Solution

Siting: The building is aligned with the valley, opening at the ends to focus on the views up and down the valley. The service zone shields the living spaces from the road. A slot window – positioned for seated viewing – frames skiers gliding by.

Foundation: The foundation was required to extend 4-feet below grade to a point beneath the frost line. By using 8-foot vertical forms, a single pour provided sufficient depth while raising the wood structure 4-feet above grade to protect it from snowdrifts. Sufficient ceiling height was created for the downstairs bunkroom, with a protected at-grade window below the deck. Excavation spoils were used to form a mound for access to the entry porch. Structure and

Materials: Gluelam beams with wood decking span between a wood framed fin wall and utility zone. The exterior cedar siding is continued through the living spaces to create a continuum of interior and exterior space. Steel details were designed for ease of fabrication by local agricultural welders.

Roof: The shed roof echoes the slope of the hills beyond, while allowing snow to slide off easily. There are no roof penetrations, and the simple form eliminates ridges and valleys that would be susceptible to leaks. The shed creates both a protected entry porch at the low end and a sleeping loft at the high end. Accessed from the side, the entry stair remains snow-free even as snow avalanches dramatically off the end.

Recognition

House of the Month

ArchitecturalRecord.com

Honor Award

AIA Northwest & Pacific Region

Citation

AIA Seattle

25 Houses under 2500 Square Feet

by James Trulove

150 Best Cottages & Cabin Ideas

by Francesc Zamora

Arcade

"New Work: Three Emerging Firms"

Cabins

by Philip Jodido

illustrated by Marie-Laure Cruschi

Coastal Retreats

by Linda Leigh Paul

Dwell

"Houses We Love: Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

International Houses Atlas

by Casey Mathewson

Masterpieces: Country House Architecture + Design

by Michelle Galindo

Umran Magazine

"Methow Cabin"

Small Houses in Nature 2

by Carles Broto

Superb Cabins

by Charles Broto

The Contemporary Guesthouse

by Susana Sirefman

XXSmall Houses

by Casey Mathewson

Credits

General Contractor

Alex Hall

Structural Engineer

Jay Taylor

Photography

Jim Van Gundy & E|FA