Douglas Cabin

Douglas Cabin

Longfaye, Ardennes, Belgium 2025

Located in the Belgium Ardennes, the Douglas Cabin is new garden shed replacing a deteriorated existing shed. 

The double tapered volume with a skillion roof shape that has a solid appearance yet the roof and inside-framework is light.

Uniformly constructed out of 70x45mm locally grown and cut Douglas fir beams, the building has a sleek structure as it sits on a repurposed natural stone plinth.

Playful shadows are created by the framework from daylight entering from the windows on the south – west. 


The bifold hangar doors are counterbalanced with a pulley system and act as a canopy when the door is open.

A minimal design-brief was the occasion to apply the research and develop the tools acquired during previous Artist in Residence period in Japan. A opportunity to apple learned skills.

The design came about by research strategy through making large scale models, 1:50 – 1:20 -1:7 in which details and joinery were tested and perfected.  The building has a sleek structure as it sits on a repurposed natural stone plinth. The hanger door acts as a canopy when opened. The double tapered volume with a skillion roof shape has a solid appearance yet inside the framework is light . The natural light enters form the skillion roof and gives playful shadows ( south – west)

The project was built on site by The Creative Mountain Studio in phases during 2024-2025, with long breaks in between. Construction was often affected by weather and distance from home-base. While concrete and masonry were handled by a local contractor using stones reclaimed from the main house renovation done 20 years prior. The rest was made by myself, translating the model and drawings into a 1:1

As planned we would have used a large amount of existing wood from the previous shed, but upon inspection the majority of wood was in poor condition and could not be repurposed. The wood has been carefully selected and reused into parts of the building. The new wood came from locally sourced Douglas, growing around the property, and cut in a mill in the neighboring village. 

Materials:

  • Framework: Douglas Fir, Local
  • Cladding: Douglas Fir, Local
  • Aluminum Roof &
  • Repurposed natural stone plinth
  • Concrete foundation

17m2

Private client
Budget undisclosed