Modern Cottage Living: American Forest Home Design

The original cottage from the 1970s had the classic shape of the letter A, which we also know from the Bohemian mountains. However, the architects from the Dan Brunn Architecture studio turned it into a so-called “double A” – two A-shaped structures intersect in a T-shaped floor plan. This resulted in a surprisingly generous interior space with an area of ​​approximately 167 m², which in some places opens up to the roof. The crossing of the rafters is one of the most impressive details of the house and gives the interior a strong architectural expression.

From the outside, the cottage looks rather inconspicuous – it has a dark, almost black facade that blends in with the surrounding woods. Even more contrast awaits inside. Glazed gables, high windows and glass railings allow maximum daylight into the house and let the forest views stand out. The living room is open over two floors and is connected to the gallery and the loft. It smoothly connects to a large terrace with distinctive red armchairs, which become an ideal place for quiet mornings and evening sitting.

The heart of the house is the living area with a cathedral atmosphere. On one side is a massive fireplace lined with irregular boulders, on the other a fully glazed wall with a panoramic view of the forest. Wood is omnipresent here – on the ceilings, walls and in the details – and is complemented by subtle indirect lighting, which makes the interior cozy even in the evening. The furniture was chosen and custom designed by the architects: an oval suede sofa, a round table, playful accessories, and in the loft, even a colorful guitar and record player with vinyl records. The result is an interior that looks modern, but at the same time inhabited and natural.

The kitchen and dining room is slightly separated from the main living space, so it does not interfere, but remains part of it. It is minimalist, two-tone – in a combination of light and dark blue-gray surfaces – with wooden handles and a traditional gas stove. The materials were inspired by the trends of the 70s, but given a contemporary shape.

The house is divided into three floors and its layout is simple and very practical. On the ground floor there is a quiet zone with two bedrooms with private bathrooms, technical facilities and a stylish entrance hall. The second floor belongs to the main social space in the shape of the letter L – a large living room and a partially spatially separated kitchen and dining room. There is also a guest room and a bathroom. The third level consists of an attic loft – a cozy space for meeting and relaxing with music, with lowered ceilings and clever storage spaces.

The reconstruction cost approximately 700,000 dollars (approx. 14.5 million crowns) on a plot of land of 1,000 m² and from the beginning combined aesthetics with sustainability. A moderate palette of materials inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese influences works with the contrast of dark blue tones and light wood. A maximum of the original materials were preserved, the wooden beams were gently blasted with walnut shells and treated again. The exterior has hardly changed. The original building thus retains its integrity, but at the same time it is upgraded to the level of contemporary housing. New technologies, better insulation and energy-saving systems only subtly increase comfort.

The project can also be an inspiration for Czech cottagers. It shows that even an old cottage can be turned into a modern home without losing its soul, and that the connection with nature, working with light and respect for the original structure work just as well in California as in the Giant Mountains or Šumava.