A rural cabin channels Nordic design on a family farm in Ohio
Concealed by dense woodland, this cabin is precisely as its creator intended; an off-grid retreat designed for respite and peace of mind. Suspended on a minimalistic foundation of concrete piers, the structure sits atop a high bank overlooking a lake, its compact dimensions and cedar shingle-clad exterior emphasising its camouflage within the immediate surroundings.
The cabin sits on the Ohio family farm of architect Greg Dutton, who designed the structure and built it with his father and brother Chris. With offices in Columbus and Pittsburgh, his firm, Midland Architecture, has recently grown in size and reputation – notably snagging an IFRAA award in the process – but the Appalachian vernacular of his upbringing is an ever-present influence in his designs. Specifically, the cabin is his third project on the farm, the land part of a former strip mine slowly reclaimed by grassland and forest. The latter was a decisive factor in the architect’s empathetic approach to the surrounding land; this included the use of recycled rainwater and solar energy to sustain its occupants.
Inside, pared-back interiors demonstrate the architect’s mantra of simplicity and functionality, with a pronounced Nordic aesthetic: bleached Eastern Pine floors and walls clad in white painted lap panelling demonstrate civility without straying far from the cabin’s natural surroundings. Opening the door into the open-plan living space-cum-bedroom reveals a soaring deciduous panorama, courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows; meanwhile, a wood burner in the centre of the room acts as a well-placed accent.
At 600 sq ft, space is at a premium, a reality that spearheaded a host of details, such as custom-designed cabinets and countertops that maximise kitchen storage, while the bathroom doubles as a wet room. ‘The architecture I love is about craft and attention to detail,’ Dutton says. ‘When you marry that approach to a beautiful site, magic can happen. That was the goal from the start of the project.’
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Midland Architecture website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debut
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House
'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas wrestles with notions of Black beauty, female empowerment and love
'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love’, a touring exhibition, considers Black female representation
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House
'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Ray Phoenix to rise in Arizona
Ray Phoenix housing project launches, designed by Johnston Marklee, who worked with Lamar Johnson Collaborative, for property experts Ray and Vela
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
A low-energy farmhouse provides a rural escape in North Carolina
This low-energy farmhouse is a net zero architectural re-set for a Californian client, an East Coast relocation for a more engaged and low-key lifestyle
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
A Petra Island house rises from Frank Lloyd Wright's original drawings
Based on Frank Lloyd Wright drawings, the cantilevering Petra Island Massaro House, located in New York’s Hudson Valley, is now open to visitors
By Craig Kellogg Published
-
Modernist architecture: inspiration from across the globe
Modernist architecture has had a tremendous influence on today’s built environment, making these midcentury marvels some of the most closely studied 20th-century buildings; check back soon for new additions to our list
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
An Upper West Side apartment by General Assembly nods to its history
An Upper West Side apartment in New York, born out of the reimagining of two neighbouring units, is refreshed by General Assembly for a young family
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
MOCA is a self-sufficient mobile home offering freedom to work (and roam)
MOCA (Mobile Catalyst) is a sustainable mobile home designed by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, and taking remote working to a new level
By Tianna Williams Published
-
New York's Leica store echoes the brand's blend of heritage and innovation
Leica store throws open its doors in New York's Meatpacking District, courtesy of Brooklyn based Format Architecture Office
By Adrian Madlener Published