This Minimalist Micro Cabin Is a Tranquil Retreat in Canada’s Wilds
L'Abri reinterprets the legendary A-frame to create a secluded shelter just north of Ottawa, Canada.
This micro cabin is nestled beneath towering fauna deep within Canada’s Poisson Blanc Regional Park. Montreal-based L’Abri designed the serene shelter to provide space for up to four guests to find solitude, rest their traveled bones, and deepen their appreciation for nature.
L'Abri reinterprets the legendary A-frame to create a secluded shelter just north of Ottawa, Canada.
Photo by Jack Jérôme
The bed is suspended by steel rods over the dinning table and is accessible by a ladder.
Photo by Jack Jérôme
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"It was important for the designers to create a simple, almost sculptural structure that would provide functional and nature-oriented spaces," L’Abri writes.
Photo by Jack Jérôme
Photo by Jack Jérôme
And the space reflects that goal. The interior is minimal—the only decoration being patches of sunlight or shadow that flit across the wood walls. The bare space allows the focal point—a large bay window with uninterrupted views of the wilderness—to shine. On the first floor, guests can converse around a dining table that converts into a bed, make a snack in the kitchenette, or admire the view in the living area.
Photo by Jack Jérôme
The table can be converted into a second bed in order to accommodate up to four guests.
Photo by Ronny Lebrun
If guests prefer more privacy, they can climb the ladder to the sleeping area under the vaulted, cathedral-like ceiling. The massing is reminiscent of a truncated A-Frame, with half of the home enclosed, and half designed as an outdoor patio and kitchen. The exterior is clad in natural cedar board that will silver over the years, allowing the home to blend into its forested site.
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IKEA RANARP 9" Pendant Lamp
RANARP lamps are reminiscent of the past, crafted with details like the steel joints and striped textile cord. The floor and work lamps are heavy and very stable, yet fully adjustable. Photo courtesy of IKEA
ShopYour Cabin in the Woods
For dreamers of escaping to a cozy cabin in the great outdoors, Your Cabin in the Woods is a classic work that not only makes this a reality, but also imparts a deeper appreciation of nature and homebuilding. Author Conrad E. Meinecke has been writing about living the simply life in the wilderness for over 70 years with Your Cabin in the Woods and Cabin Craft and Outdoor Living. For the first time, these books are combined into a deluxe two-color vintage package. In prose both practical and inspirational, Meinecke details how to turn your cabin dream into a reality, such as choosing land, using tools, and the basics of construction. He provides hand-drawn floor plans for a variety of cabins, from a simple two-room to a more complex long house; the best way to build fireplaces, both indoors and out; and instructions for basic furniture, lighting, and other touches that make a cabin feel like home. Throughout are Meinecke's thoughts on ways to enjoy your new-found space, from hearty fireplace recipes to the types of wood for a perfect fire and the beauty found in birdsong. Instructional as it may be, the book's enduring appeal owes in large part to its warmly engaging tone and firm belief in the restorative power of nature and the satisfaction of hard work. He writes, "Take full enjoyment in the building. Take time out to rest. Most city folks seem always to rush things through. Why? Lay off until tomorrow. Take an afternoon nap. Stop the clock for the weekend. Get off to an early start in the cool of tomorrow morning. You may be crowded in your work in town, but this should be your rest cure, your recreating."
ShopThe bed is suspended in a lofted area above the living room.
Photo by Ronny Lebrun
Photo by Ronny Lebrun
Photo by Ronny Lebrun
La Pointe was built by L'Abri's sister company, L'Abri Construction.
Photo by Ronny Lebrun
Photo by Ronny Lebrun
Site Photo
Photo by Jérémie Gravel
La Pointe cabin rendering
La Pointe cabin model
La Pointe cabin rear elevation
La Pointe cabin ground floor plan
Related Reading:
10 Tiny Cabin Homes That Will Have You Headed to the Forest
Rediscover the Pleasure of Solitude in These East Coast Micro Cabins
Project Credits:
Architect of Record: L'Abri / @atelierlabri
Builder: L'Abri Construction
Photographer: Jérémie Gravel, Ronny Lebrun, Jack Jérôme
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