Discover new design ideas every day. Sign up for Dwell’s newsletter
SubscribeSign In
r
Collection by Rita

Favorites

View 15 Photos
“As Koto progressed, we started to look further east to the minimalist world of Japanese design and their focus on social functionality,” says co-founder Johnathon Little. “The pairing between the Scandi and Japanese design aesthetics marry beautifully to create stunning yet functional designs.”
“As Koto progressed, we started to look further east to the minimalist world of Japanese design and their focus on social functionality,” says co-founder Johnathon Little. “The pairing between the Scandi and Japanese design aesthetics marry beautifully to create stunning yet functional designs.”
<span style="font-family: Theinhardt, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;">Koto has its origins in prefabricated modular cabins that celebrate the natural world, and have been popular with hotels, start-ups, and residential landowners. </span>The co-founders of Koto Design have extensive experience in the creative industries. Johnathon and Zoe Little lived in Norway for 15 years before returning to the UK with their two children. Johnathon had met Theo Dales surfing in Bali and they later studied architecture together.
Koto has its origins in prefabricated modular cabins that celebrate the natural world, and have been popular with hotels, start-ups, and residential landowners.
The couple named their company Konga after the young son, Vinca’s mispronunciation of the Lithuanian word for “socks” when he was learning to speak. “For us, it formed a symbolic association with the feeling of the earth under bare feet,” says Goda. “It encouraged us to leave our footprint, but with minimal impact on nature and meaningful value to humans.”
The couple named their company Konga after the young son, Vinca’s mispronunciation of the Lithuanian word for “socks” when he was learning to speak. “For us, it formed a symbolic association with the feeling of the earth under bare feet,” says Goda. “It encouraged us to leave our footprint, but with minimal impact on nature and meaningful value to humans.”
A patio connects the family’s trio of My Cabins.
A patio connects the family’s trio of My Cabins.
The sauna is heated with a woodburning stove that’s accessible from the deck outside.
The sauna is heated with a woodburning stove that’s accessible from the deck outside.
The sod roof is angled to create a sweeping elevation on approach and is planted with grass tussocks cut from the hillside during construction. “The tussocks camouflage the house, melting it into the landscape,” explains architect Kate Brown.
The sod roof is angled to create a sweeping elevation on approach and is planted with grass tussocks cut from the hillside during construction. “The tussocks camouflage the house, melting it into the landscape,” explains architect Kate Brown.
The primary cladding is black-painted larch by Russwood, with accents of unpainted timber to blend Spyon Cop into the earthen landscape.
The primary cladding is black-painted larch by Russwood, with accents of unpainted timber to blend Spyon Cop into the earthen landscape.
The clients wanted a house that could offer fantastic views of the landscape from every room—including the bathroom—whilst protecting them from the worst of the Cairngorms weather.
The clients wanted a house that could offer fantastic views of the landscape from every room—including the bathroom—whilst protecting them from the worst of the Cairngorms weather.
The clients are an active family and it was essential that the home facilitate this outdoors lifestyle. The entry porch offers a space where the family can take off muddy boots or wet clothes and can easily access the utility room, bathrooms, and an outdoor gear store.
The clients are an active family and it was essential that the home facilitate this outdoors lifestyle. The entry porch offers a space where the family can take off muddy boots or wet clothes and can easily access the utility room, bathrooms, and an outdoor gear store.
“While the house predominately enjoys a long vista down the valley, there’s a special viewpoint in the main bathroom, a slice of glazing at head height offering a peaceful perspective of the River Don and Cairngorms hills beyond,” says architect Kate Brown.
“While the house predominately enjoys a long vista down the valley, there’s a special viewpoint in the main bathroom, a slice of glazing at head height offering a peaceful perspective of the River Don and Cairngorms hills beyond,” says architect Kate Brown.
The Campbell Residence, also known as the Cain Wong Residence (as it is currently owned by Aaron Cain and Annie Wong) features vaulted cedar ceilings, Douglas fir beams, and an exposed concrete structural system. Large, custom-milled windows overlook the connecting patios and let in forest views.
The Campbell Residence, also known as the Cain Wong Residence (as it is currently owned by Aaron Cain and Annie Wong) features vaulted cedar ceilings, Douglas fir beams, and an exposed concrete structural system. Large, custom-milled windows overlook the connecting patios and let in forest views.