Retro A-Frame

Client Work - Residential

The client wanted to give an updated renovation to their A-Frame cabin built by their family in the late 1970’s in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The cabin is off-the-grid, so water is pumped in from a well on the property, and the electricity comes from an external generator.

The theme I focused on with this project was the word, “retreat”. I wanted it to feel like a true retreat away from city life and technology, and since this cabin is from a time without modern technology in the 70’s and 80’s, this inspired a more retro-classic design.

The Structure

Client Images

Concept Inspiration

For the overall concept of the design I wanted to take inspiration from the retro-classic style of the 70’s and 80’s (i.e. earth tones, wood elements, pops of color or pattern around the room). Given that it’s a remote wood cabin and built in this time period, I felt it was a fitting design style to pull from. The client also loves this era and has an affinity for the James Bond franchise, so I wanted to make it feel like a secluded chic hideout you would see 007 in within those films.

The original floor plan of the cabin was not the most effective use of the space, so I made some slight structural changes to help compliment the design.

Changes I made from the original floor plan include:

Moved the wood stove away from the staircase and into more of the living space (1).
Added a kitchen island to make a more open concept living space. There were free standing shelves separating the living, dining, and kitchen spaces (1, 2, and 3).
Removed a built-in wood ladder from next to the front door (7) that led upstairs into unused storage space which is now a third bedroom (9).
Installed a dividing wall with windows and double doors halfway down the upstairs space to make an office area (8) that overlooks the living space and is separate from the upstairs bedroom (9).