Imbue Design in collaboration with yNot Construction has designed this fabulous off-grid modern cabin located in the rolling hills of Bear Lake, Idaho. The concept for this project was to devise a family retreat from city living — a place to escape social stresses, unplug from the digital world and commune with each other and nature.
The owner spent his childhood summer vacations in this region and with that connection, he wished to have his family getaway here. Encompassing 2,125 square feet of living space, the cabin resides perfectly in the middle of nowhere. It’s nestled in a sixty acre parcel of rolling grassy hills, alongside a gentle natural berm and a stand of aspen trees, with the great Rocky Mountains of Southern Idaho serving as its backdrop.
A series of three small structures are tethered together under an open air pavilion, capturing the vision of the owner — a spartan shelter within the Bear River range. Central to this project is a large outdoor living space under an expansive canopy that shields it from the elements.
The trio of small structures — residence, guest quarters and utilitarian storage – flank this outdoor living room on three sides acting as windbreaks, while framing views of Paris Peak.
There are no utility services within miles of this property, so the project team devised this self-sustaining cabin getaway with energy in mind. This dwelling utilizes passive solar strategies, with windows positioned to harness free energy using the sun during the window months and deep roof overhangs for shading during the summer.
“Superior insulation and sealing techniques achieve a tight building envelope, coupled with performance enhancing windows and doors to cross ventilate and manage interior comfort,” states the architects. “Electricity and heat are provided by a photovoltaic array atop the canopy with supplemental battery storage and a back-up generator.”
What We Love: This off-grid modern cabin serves as an idyllic retreat, a crash pad and base camp for a family to unplug and enjoy outdoor adventure. The surrounding beauty of this home provides such a relaxing atmosphere, coupled with the neutral decor elements throughout the interiors. We are loving how this dwelling provides an escape from the daily stresses of work and city life, focusing on quality time with family and nature.
Tell Us: What do you think of the overall design of this self-sustaining cabin? Could you unplug and get away from it all in this retreat? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments!
Note: Take a look at another home tour that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of the architects of this home, Imbue Design: Pasture Project with Mount Olympus as a backdrop.
On the interior, minimal decor compliments the outdoor surroundings, inviting the views and nature inside through large floor-to-ceiling windows. Crisp white walls provides a backdrop for an extensive art collection created by the owner’s daughters. Furnishings were selected by the wife, whose design aesthetic helps to make this space uniquely theirs.
Natural wood ceilings infuse warmth into this cabin while softening from above. Throughout, the floors are low-maintenance, untreated concrete, embracing the patina of life and over time recounts a living record of time well spent.
Above: An oculus in the canopy over the patio traces sun angles throughout the year.
Minimal maintenance materials were used for the design of this structure, at the owner’s request. The exterior is clad in accordion metal panels, perfectly suited for extreme winters on the open range. The panel’s interesting shape provides continually changing patterns of light and shadow, gracefully transitioning throughout the day and seasons.
Photos: Courtesy of Imbue Design
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