Snake River Cabin

Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello

SNAKE RIVER CABIN

McLean Quinlan

ARCHITECTS
McLean Quinlan

EXECUTIVE ARCHITECTS
Berlin Architects

AREA
420 m²

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
G&S Structural Engineers

MANUFACTURERS
Dornbracht, Agape, Toto

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Cox Construction Inc

PHOTOGRAPHS
David Agnello

LOCATION
United States

YEAR
2020

CATEGORY
Cabins & Lodges

Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello

Text description provided by the architects.

A clearing amongst Aspen and Pine makes way for an understated home, positioned to take in long views across Snake River Valley and the mountains beyond.

Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello

Our clients wanted a house that embraced this majestic setting. A peaceful, modern retreat to recharge whilst immersed in nature.

Our clients came to us after visiting another project of ours close by. They were looking for a design to replace a dilapidated cabin on the site, designed in a traditional cabin style the home was dark and had little connection to the site it occupied and had fallen into disrepair.

Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello

The key to the new design was to create a home that was light-filled and connected to nature. The site backs onto a forest of Aspen and Pine as you arrive at the house you are met by the wide-open views of the valley and mountains beyond. The home sits in the valley of the Snake River looking out towards mountain ranges and the Sleeping Indian.

The building is formed of two contrasting volumes. The first ‘living’ structure is transparent, open to panoramic views, and filled with natural light from sunrise to sunset. A substantial douglas fir frame provides a feeling of warmth and enclosure.

Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello

The second, taller, black timber-clad building contains more practical aspects of the home, including the bedrooms. Upstairs, tucked into the eaves, the library and guest rooms nestle under a tent-like vaulted roof.

A limited palette of natural materials and tactile elements were chosen to reflect the surrounding landscape.

Oak flooring and hemlock ceilings, reminiscent of traditional cabins, contrast with expanses of frameless, thermally insulated glass. A contemporary home that both respects and takes advantage of its extraordinary setting.

Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello


Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello
Snake River Cabin
© David Agnello


Snake River Cabin
Ground floor plan
Snake River Cabin
First floor plan


Snake River Cabin
Section
Snake River Cabin
Section