Project: 840 SF One Bedroom Cottage

Location: Seneca Lake, NY

Date: 2000

Quality: High

Above: Closest to us in this photo is the dining area which features windows on three sides to fully maximize on the 270 degree views of the lake.

Above: Detail of a carport column - clear stained red cedar with a natural stone base

A small one bedroom weekend cottage was to be built on a small spit of land jutting out into the lake. Because of code setback requirements from the septic system the available site to build on was very limited.

A split level design was adopted with the entry and living room on the lowest level, the kitchen up 12" higher and the dining room 36" higher again; finally, the bedroom located on the highest level. Because the home is only one room deep all the spaces have views of the lake from at least two sides. This is a lot of home in a very small space.

Above: The Cypress flooring and Cedar boarded walls and ceiling complement the natural stonework used for the chimney.

Above: The staircase and railing were both made from a single maple tree. The trunk was notched to receive the treads which are bolted into place. Smaller branches formed the posts and railings.

Above: The chimney seen here stacks above that in the living room below.

Above: The arched ceiling uses shiplap siding and curved wood ribs to simulate the inside of an upturned boat.

Above: Cedar column and beam are strengthened by a knee brace which mimics a detail used in the carport.