Situated in the Sierra National Forest of California, miles above sea level, this vacation rental property boasts Yosemite as well as swimming holes, hiking trails,  rolling landscapes, waterfalls and boulders all around – an eclectic mix seen in the architecture of this structure as well.

At high elevations, shedding snow and deflecting moisture is a crucial roll of residential rooftops, hence the steeply-angled aluminum that shapes this triangular abode. A matching communications tower plus outbuilding sits alongside the primary dwelling space. However, equal attention is paid to the rural surroundings, reflected in the use of rough, rusticated and weathered timber siding and deck-topping slats.

Standard modules are used throughout to aid in the prefabrication process – 4 by 8 feet becomes the organizing principle when it comes to anything (plywood panels, metal siding, etc…) that can be cut and shaped to this simplified scale.

This kind of quaint abode is unlikely to win any awards, but not all good designs aim for such accolades – nor should they. Here it seems sufficient that the place serves its purpose, feels unique and responds to the needs of both renters and owners alike – namely by providing a fun experience and durable property. Listed on VRBO

Prefabs conjure images of hard-edged squares and rectangles, planes intersecting in space but lacking organic appeal or a human touch. Like something from a fairy tale, this cozy wooden cabin takes on this stereotype … and offers a rounded rebuttal.

Swedish designer Torsten Ottesjö of Cargo Collective wanted to build something that appealed to popular affections for automobiles, but that was also quintessentially Scandanavian – thus the tribute to the scales and curved shape of a regionally-popular fish.
A single room wraps around inside, a partial section circling an invisible center, to create privacy despite the one-space arrangement. At just one cubic meter, it is physically small but seems more spacious thanks to the shape and natural lighting.

The floor consists of wood end-grain tiles and lightly-finished boards built to be experienced barefoot. From top to bottom and front to back, this region-typical approach to natural materials and texture gives new purpose to old traditions.

Built-ins are limited to bare (unfinished wood) essentials, including a minimalist master bed, modest kitchen and rounded wooden bench.

On the outside, recycled cellulose-infused cardboard provides wind and water protection while wooden slats and trim around the windows and door offer whimsical decorative appeal designed to fit into forested local contexts.

Between interior and exterior layers, natural wood-fiber canvas compliments recycled-paper insulation known as ecofiber, tucked behind canoe-like strips of curved-wood wall siding. Meanwhile, the structure itself sits up on steel stilts tied into the bedrock below via spikes, making for a light touch in terms of environmental impact and relative portability should moving the home be called for in the future.

“Built from local, on site ash, pine, spruce, and aspen, the building is an economical construction that is easy to produce, process and manage. Wood was selected as the primary material due to its natural properties, which include durability, biodegradability and the beautiful quality it reveals as it ages.” (Inhabitat)