Exposed Wood Posts & Beams Add A Warm Rustic Touch To This Small Cabin

December 23, 2024
A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.

Still Architects has shared photos of a small contemporary cabin they completed in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada, where the Rosseau River flows into the lake.

A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.

The 800-square-foot (74-sqm) cabin has a wood exterior with black accents. Its wood deck, with steps down to the gravel, expands its living space.

A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.
A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.

The heavy Douglas fir timbers exposed on the interior and exterior are inspired by the logging site’s history. The local mill used the river to send logs down to the lake to be dried, cut, and shipped throughout the region.

A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.

The load-bearing timbers support the offset roof truss, which has ample overhang to protect from the heavy rain and snow the region receives and block out the hot summer sun.

A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.

The raised nature of the cabin prevents as much disturbance to the land as possible and to preserve the surrounding tree canopy by protecting the roots from disturbance.

A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.

At night, the lighting shows off the warmth of the wood.

A small Canadian lakefront cabin with exposed Douglas Fir posts and beams.

Stepping inside, and there’s a entryway with a floating wood bench, and a window that perfectly frames the trees outside, replacing the need for artwork.

An entryway with a floating wood bench, and a window that perfectly frames the trees outside, replacing the need for artwork.

The main social areas of the cabin are open plan, with the living room at one end, and the dining area and kitchen at the other.

The main social areas of the cabin are open plan, with the living room at one end, and the dining area and kitchen at the other.
The main social areas of the cabin are open plan, with the living room at one end, and the dining area and kitchen at the other.

The dining area includes a wood bench that runs underneath the window, while the kitchen takes up the opposite wall.

The dining area of this small cabin includes a wood bench that runs underneath the window, while the kitchen takes up the opposite wall.
The dining area of this small cabin includes a wood bench that runs underneath the window, while the kitchen takes up the opposite wall.
The dining area of this small cabin includes a wood bench that runs underneath the window, while the kitchen takes up the opposite wall.

The cabin also includes a bedroom and bathroom.

The contemporary bedroom in a small lakefront cabin.
The contemporary bathroom with a walk-in shower in a small lakefront cabin.

Here’s a closer look at the wood beams used in the construction of the cabin.

Douglas fir posts and beams in a small lakefront cabin.
Photography by Jeremie Warshafsky