ARCHITECTURE

The simple form with deliberate, carefully positioned openings is inspired by traditional hunting cabins and duck blinds hidden in the dense forest. Formally, the building is a large heavy corten steel volume resting atop a series of seemingly too skinny legs. A smaller corten entry volume is recessed underneath the larger volume above and appears to emerge from the expansive rock below, anchoring the structure to site. A weathered steel surround cantilevers beyond the pure corten volume to accentuate the largest expanse of glazing on the second floor, providing views to the river valley beyond.

Set amidst a field of reddish dirt, rock and the ever-changing colours of the leaves, the peculiar structure finds a way to feel as though it has always been there. Its corten cladding roots the building to site and surrounding context – its warm hue reminiscent of the reddish hematitic stain that coats fractures of quartzite found in the region.

A camouflaged corten-clad door in shadow below the heavy volume above provides discrete access to within. Upon entry, the space is low, compressed and dimly lit. Two tarnished steel wall sconces illuminate the stairwell leading to the bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. The bedrooms are both minimal and raw - lined entirely in smoked oak with raw steel shelving and wall-mounted industrial light fixtures. The beds are covered in antique linens and hand-dyed fabrics. Large picture windows provide natural light and selective views toward the forest. The bathroom is restrained, lined in a gray terracotta tile with simple stainless steel fixtures to accompany the stainless steel wall-mounted vanity. A full wall of glazing blurs the line between interior and exterior, creating the illusion of showering completely submersed in the surrounding forest.