“The two weekend houses are two separate units on a site located on the eastern limit of the suburb Colmanicchio in Cardada close to the town of Locarno . Both the units have exactly the same shape with a panoramic terrace facing the gorgeous lake view. The house units are organized on a single level with two living parts: a lower rear front (north) with the bed, the bathroom, the kitchen and the double height living room facing south. The idea is to provide one single large living room as a valid relaxing alternative to the primary living house. The opening—sliding window doors—are set on the corners to allow a free view on all directions. The houses are built with wood blocks on a concrete basement, the façade are clad with titan-zinc in contrast to the surrounding nature.”

via botta.ch

ok… i can admit it… my swedish is a little rusty… and i’m pretty sure i don’t see the word “volvo” anywhere in the copy.

but love that view!

via strataarkitektur.

this may be the one.

usually, when i think cabin/cottage… i think “on a lake”… but this cabin has completely turned that thought process upside-down.

i can’t help but be excited about this property… stunning!

via AIA.

“Built on screw in pilings and manufactured using galvanised steel, cold-formed profiles, utilising composite panels.

Single ply roof. Aluminium and cedar Architectural façade system”

via mikano.co.uk

“three 2.5-metre-wide, 13.5-metre-long storage containers placed on a concrete foundation and covered in horizontal hemlock screens that unite the stacked tubes into a coherent whole. The basement holds a utility area, an extra bathroom and a guest room. On the ground floor, the kitchen and dining areas occupy one box and the living rooms another, split by a rough wooden stair leading to three open-plan bedrooms and a bathroom in the third container, angled overhead.”

via azuremagazine.

more OSKA… i can’t help it.

“The idea for the cabin is that of a lakeside shelter in the woods—a little box with a big window that opens to the surrounding landscape. The cabin’s big window-wall (30 feet by 20 feet) opens the entire living space to the forest and lake. Materials are low maintenance—concrete block, steel, concrete floors and plywood—in keeping with the notion of a cabin, and left unfinished to naturally age and acquire a patina that fits in with the natural setting. The cabin sleeps ten.”

ok… i’ll admit it…. i’m in love with OSKA Architects.

and i can’t get past the cottages [i assume they do other great things]

“Designed to be in harmony with nature, the Olson Cabin began its existence as a 14’ x 14’ bunk house built in 1959. A series of renovations since then (1981, 1997 and 2003) has seen the expansion and addition of several interconnected rooms all true to a simple design esthetic. The cabin is intentionally subdued in color and texture, allowing the lush natural surroundings to take precedence. The living room’s large window not only frames the view of the waterfront and Mt. Rainier beyond, but also visually blends the indoors and outdoors. ”

link.

more goodness from oska architects.

“This retreat is essentially a wooden tent on a platform that opens to the forest and river. Materials are allowed to weather to merge with the site.”

“This small in size but large in spirit cabin sits high on a bench above the Methow River. It is a cube of space that allows expansive views of the valley below, shelter from the sun and protection from deep winter snows. The calm details and simple materials blend with the beautiful and austere environment.”

link… johnston architects.

“This 1,000 square-foot weekend cabin, basically a steel box on stilts, can be completely shuttered when the owner is away. Situated near a river in a floodplain, the 20’ x 20’ square footprint rises three stories and is topped by the living room/kitchen. Large, 10’ x 18’ steel shutters can be closed simultaneously using a hand crank.”

stunning… link.