Tinderbox Cabin
Tinderbox Cabin is a versatile and efficiently designed lodging and studio space. The materials used in the design of this cabin have been chosen in order to promote sustainability and simple modern design.
The exterior wall cladding featured is "Shou-Sugi-Ban," Japanese for burnt cedar board. This ancient Japanese technique involves charring cedar boards to heighten their resistance to rot, moisture, insects and fire. Once the process is complete, these boards have a beautiful finish that can last a lifetime and sometimes longer. The boards can be processed in either the traditional manner by forming a triangular bundle with three boards and lighting a fire beneath them or by simply using a propane torch to char the boards. The roof of the structure is covered in metal so that it will never need replacing. Non-burnt cedar is to be used for the stairs and deck to provide a playful contrast to the charred siding.
The interior finishes are simple and elegant and provide a calm environment for rest, creativity and discussion. Plywood floors and ceilings and white painted walls keep the space clean and easy to maintain. Built-in furniture such as the desk and bookcase are also made of plywood, giving this beautiful, innovative material a strong presence in the cabin's interior.
Materials are nothing without function. This space is incredibly functional, and its minimalist design makes the small space feel large. To maximize usable space and create a wall-less division, the bed is stored under the upper studio space and can easily be rolled out all the way for sleeping or partially to form a day bed or couch. This sunken living area design allows the studio space to feel separate from the living space without walls or a true second story. The raised studio space also creates ample storage for the electronic components of a solar power system, which will be made easily accessible by hinging the staircase.
Tinderbox Cabin loves the sun, and its large southern facing sliding doors are perfect for harnessing as much passive solar energy as possible. With the addition of solar panels on the sloping south-facing roof and a small wood stove in the interior, this shelter is ready for anything that is thrown its way.
Tinderbox Cabin is cost effective, beautiful and easy to build and embodies a true sense of serenity.
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