A Cabin in the Woods—Built from a Kit in the 1970s—Now Can Be Enjoyed in Every Season

The design encountered another hurdle: Wing walls extended down from the dormers.

“We had to figure out how to provide transparency to allow for the window-seat view but still carry the shape,” Moody says. “We clipped back the south-facing wing walls on the east and west sides but added a steel brace that mimics the original wall profile’s shape. Using this treatment on the west side created a new view to the lake when sitting on the balcony above the kitchen.”

The original kitchen was only 8- by 9-feet, making it nearly impossible for two people to maneuver in the space. Working within budget constraints, Moody bumped out the kitchen 3 feet on the west-side entry deck to create more space. Formerly, there was no way to view the lake from the kitchen, so Taiga Design+Build installed a slim 12-inch corner window, giving a peek to the lake when standing at the sink.

Enlarging the kitchen allowed the team to create a more functional balcony above. Previously, the balcony above the entry deck was too narrow to allow for seating. With the 3-foot extension, it can host a small table for two, creating a space to linger among the wooded surroundings.

Two skylights above the loft’s family room do more than fill the space with daylight. Integrated LED lighting can be manually illuminated to provide indirect lighting on dark days or at night. The skylights vent to bring in fresh air and include automatic rain-sensing technology that closes the vents to protect interior spaces. Manually operated skylight shades make it easy to control interior light levels.

Three windows in the north gable were altered. The two bedrooms’ windows were upgraded to meet code, and the team changed the bathroom window into a square dimension.

PERENNIAL COMFORT

On its south side, the loft is an open mezzanine above the living room. A drafty glass door in the living room led out onto the deck, so Taiga Design+Build replaced it with an energy-efficient 8- by 16-foot sliding patio door.

“Formerly, there were a set of windows above the old door but they didn’t rise to the peak of the A-frame’s triangle,” Moody says. “We opened up that space to allow better views of the lake both from the main level and the upper loft. With all the changes, you have more dynamic views from a variety of spaces in the house.”

A new hydronic heating system with an on-demand boiler provides heating and tankless hot water. Radiant flooring makes the bathrooms cozy, and cast-iron radiators warm the rest of the home. With the on-demand system, the home’s three showers can run simultaneously without going cold, and no money is wasted on maintaining hot water if the home sits empty for an extended period of time.

A wood-burning fireplace also provides heat, and a ceiling fan and heat-pump mini splits keep Minne Stuga cool in summer.

“The project came together nicely,” Moody says. “The home has a real warmth to it, and it allows you to observe all the seasons while providing the sense of shelter.”

Retrofit Team

DESIGNER/CONTRACTOR: Taiga Design+Build

ROOFING CONTRACTOR: Duluth Roofing

TILE CONTRACTOR: Aurora Tile Works, (763) 286-8746

HVAC AND PLUMBING: Cavallin Plumbing & Heating, (218) 834-4542

ELECTRICAL: Peak Electric, (218) 370-0452

Materials

THERMALLY MODIFIED WOOD CLADDING, DECKING AND HANDRAILS: Kebony and Arbor Wood Co.

STRUCTURALLY INSULATED ROOFING PANELS: Energy Panel Structures

SYNTHETIC CEDAR SHAKE ROOFING: Brava

WINDOWS, GLASS DOORS AND SLIDING PATIO DOOR: Ultimate from Marvin

SKYLIGHTS: Awaken from Marvin

BOILER: Combi-Boiler from Navien

HEAT-PUMP MINI SPLITS: Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC

END GRAIN OAK FLOORING: Kaswell Flooring

COUNTERTOP MATERIAL: Black Diamond from Richlite Co.

KITCHEN FLOORS: Marmoleum from Forbo

TILE: Mercury Mosaics

OUTDOOR FURNITURE: Loll Designs

PHOTOS: Kristian Alveo unless otherwise noted