Timber construction is beautiful

Timber construction

is beautiful

While in South Africa, structural timber design and construction has been experiencing a slow but steady adoption curve, in Europe and North America it is ubiquitous and driven by mainstream, stunning designs.

Kebony- Kristian Alveo

For inspiration, we share with you a short case file on a timber cabin recently built in Minnesota, edged up against the northern border of the United States with Canada;a chilly place in winter!

Significantly, the project features the use of a patented Norwegian technology called Kebony®. This technology permanently transforms sustainable forest wood species such as pine into Kebony wood with features that are comparable, and sometimes superior, to those of rare and expensive tropical hardwoods. This method is also a superior alternative to traditional wood treatment based on impregnation with biocides and wood preservatives and delivers products that deliver major improvements in durability and dimensional stability, at the same time as being highly attractive.

The project

Hidden away in one of Minnesota’s many lakeside forests, the Minne Stuga House is surrounded by local pine and cedar trees with secluded waterfront access. Clad in sustainably sourced Kebony wood, the cabin’s sharp lines, tight peaks, and sweeping roof are a dramatic addition to the forest landscape, with the wooden features and earthy tones providing a natural appearance.

The A-frame cabin was renovated by Minneapolis-based designer and lifestyle blogger Melissa Coleman (The Faux Martha blog) and her husband Kevin. Renovation was by Grand Marais-based Taiga Design+Build, who helped maintain the cabin’s timeless feel, retaining 90% of the original structure.

Where the original cedar siding was rotting, the designers replaced it with Kebony, a global leader in the production of sustainable wood.. Kebony wood provides a rich brown colour that has helped preserve the original aesthetic, keeping the cabin in close harmony with the surrounding landscape. This timber also requires very little upkeep, future proofing the retreat for the next generation, even when it is being let out to holidaymakers..

Within the house, the interior is lined with the original, 50-year-old western red cedar panelling, bringing the character of the forest into the home, which it marries with a radiant, welcoming warmth. The original roof was replaced by the designers, adding structural insulated panels for heat and energy efficiency. Awaken Skylights were integrated to provide extra natural light, completing the cabin’s 21st Century transformation. With its rustic Kebony-clad exterior and homely interior, the cabin is a cosy sanctuary during Minnesota’s cold and snowy winters.

The cabin also opens out onto a gorgeous decking area, built from the same timber product. From the decking it is a short path through the trees to the shore of Devil Track Lake, where guests can fish, kayak or have a quick dip. As spring turns to summer, the cabin bathes in natural light and the lakeshores become the perfect warm retreat.

One could imagine the use of such a concept in South Africa’s coastal towns, such as Knysna and the Outeniqua areas.