A modern longhouse, inspired by the Native American Longhouse, whose simple form and low volume shelters and opens views to the surrounding forest. Historically, Longhouses sheltered 20 or more families under one large roof, which spanned 18’ in width by 80’ in length. The singular open space allowed for efficient heating and communal gathering. Our design is a study in simplicity of form using a modern material palette and reductive detailing. Simple, affordable and well designed using readily available durable materials.

Economy informed almost every decision in our design, beginning with the simplest and perhaps most iconic building form, the gable. We were drawn to the fallen birches in the surrounding forest as well as the Native American longhouse within which a singular space made for efficient heating and communal gathering. Our thought was to make everything plain and accessible, easily changed, removed, retooled, tattooed, fixed, and added to. One room wide, the plan invites daylight and breezes with a central living, dining, and cooking space flanked by private sleeping areas on either end. A private core in the center of the building houses storage, laundry and bathing functions allowing a continuous hallway to wrap the perimeter of the building…which doubles as a race track for our two young boys.