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Collection by Zach Edelson

A Small Wisconsin Cabin Filled with Multifunctional Furniture

This eco-friendly forest retreat, designed and built by father-son architectural duo Bill and Daniel Yudchitz, wasn't their first foray into small space architecture. Back in the winter of 2009/10, the Yudchitzes built this 325 square-foot retreat: the Experimental Dwelling for a Greener Environment, or simply EDGE for short.

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Their design took four months to construct. And much like their later project on the same property, the Nest, the EDGE cabin features a protective, movable screen: when not in use, these white oak panels slide inwards to sheild the cabin windows and doors.
Their design took four months to construct. And much like their later project on the same property, the Nest, the EDGE cabin features a protective, movable screen: when not in use, these white oak panels slide inwards to sheild the cabin windows and doors.
Inspired by Swiss Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, the Yudchitzes designed and crafted an exquisitely precise interior. As they report in this Dwell article, “It cost at least $100,000 to build because the materials were crafted to within .002 inches, so it’s expensive for what it is."
Inspired by Swiss Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, the Yudchitzes designed and crafted an exquisitely precise interior. As they report in this Dwell article, “It cost at least $100,000 to build because the materials were crafted to within .002 inches, so it’s expensive for what it is."
While there are two sleeping lofts—one above the kitchen, the other above the bathroom—the EDGE Cabin's multifunctional furniture can add a third bed.
While there are two sleeping lofts—one above the kitchen, the other above the bathroom—the EDGE Cabin's multifunctional furniture can add a third bed.
This is accomplished using the table in the main living room. Seen here, it's arranged to act as a standard dining surface.
This is accomplished using the table in the main living room. Seen here, it's arranged to act as a standard dining surface.
It quickly becomes a coffee table when its legs are folded inwards and hidden underneath the tabletop.
It quickly becomes a coffee table when its legs are folded inwards and hidden underneath the tabletop.
And of course, when specially arranged and with the help of a headboard, the table(s) become a third sleeping area. Starting in July 2013, the Yudchitzes built an even smaller—and more simply crafted—cabin just 130 feet from this project. They built the new dwelling using materials leftover from other projects, thereby reducing its cost dramatically.
And of course, when specially arranged and with the help of a headboard, the table(s) become a third sleeping area. Starting in July 2013, the Yudchitzes built an even smaller—and more simply crafted—cabin just 130 feet from this project. They built the new dwelling using materials leftover from other projects, thereby reducing its cost dramatically.