The Bow Roof Cabin

Situated prominently in an idyllic, ski-in setting in Government Camp, this historic arched cabin had faced decades of neglect and disrepair when THESIS and North Swell Design Build were called in by its new owners. Never lacking for occupants, the cabin had been home to a rotating cast of alpine enthusiasts, but the toll on the house was severe. THESIS put in place a comprehensive plan to refresh the structure inside and out, and further protect it against the harsh winter elements. By removing a central stair, the dwelling was rendered into two parts, a lower “efficiency unit” and a 3 bedroom, 2-story upper unit. North Swell Design Build, the sister construction company of THESIS quickly came in to implement the plan. The exterior was overhauled top to bottom, and rickety dry-rotted DIY balconies and stairs were ripped off in favor of structurally sound decks and stairs with resilient bamboo composite finish decking, designed to handle the harsh freeze-thaw cycle of the area. Disintegrating T111 siding was removed throughout and replaced with a fiber-cement lap rain screen on the two gable ends of the house. Inside, new finishes throughout and the cosmetic renovation of 3 bathrooms and 2 kitchens completed the transformation, rendering the interior in moody, natural materials and woodsy vernacular. THESIS helped spec a full suite of interior furnishings centering on vintage finds and eclectic homages to the cabin retreats that live in all our collective memories.

photos: jennifer malmberg & brooke bass
construction: north swell design build