Cabin at Longbranch by Olson Kundig

Cabin Fever

Seatle-based architects Olson Kundig is renowned for their designs of palatial residences.  This petite forest cabin, designed by principal Jim Olson as a weekend retreat for his family, may be more modest in scale but is just as uplifting and impactful as the grandest villa.

The building of this intimate cabin spans the entire career of Jim Olson, starting as a 14 square foot bunk house in 1959 and evolving through four reconstructions over the years.  Different box-like volumes house the main living space, bedroom and bathroom, unified by a common roof and connected by semi-exposed walkways.  Timber is the building material of choice, from the fir floorboards to the plywood panelling and glulam beams.  Projecting rooflines, sliding doors and vast skylights connect the building to the surrounding forest, adding to the organic feel of the place.  The cabin even incorporates three mature trees which are allowed to punctuate the decking and roof.

Overall the cabin exudes rustic charm and feels utterly at one with nature.  This is an idyllic retreat that's hard to beat. 

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Olson Kundig

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Product Inspiration

Create your own rural idyll with furniture that respects nature in both material and form, such as the Altay armchair from Coedition, the Zumitz low table from Alki and the Baobab coffee table from Moustache.

 

The wood veneer lights of LZF, such as the Nut suspension light and the Hi-Collar wall light, are simple, effective and showcase natural wood beautifully.  Alternatively try the Cape suspension light from Moustache, with its distinctive flower petal shape that oozes organic charm. 

     

 

For organically inspired accessories look no further than Sena Gu, whose inspirations come mainly from nature.  The Tree vase and Rose plate are both good examples.  To create your own forest cabin inspired interior try the photorealistic Scrapwood wallpaper from NLXL.