This Dramatically Elevated Cabin Sits Among The Treetops

June 16, 2022
A modern cabin with a black exterior that's elevated to be located within the treetops.

Kariuok Architects have designed a modern cabin in Quebec, Canada, that’s elevated to be located within the treetops.

Kariuok Architects have designed a modern cabin in Quebec, Canada, that's elevated to be located within the treetops.

Local zoning rules required a 100-foot (30-metre) setback from the lake, while a cliff face at the 100-foot mark was incorporated into the design, removing the need to blast the rock.

A modern cabin is elevated 100 feet above the forest floor.

To minimize harm to the hillside and forest, a zoning variance was obtained by the architects to allow the front of the cabin to hover above, rather than sit on, the 100-foot (30-metre) mark.

A modern cabin is elevated in the treetops.

The cabin, which was milled offsite and then hoisted into place, has been built with suitably-sourced CLT panels and glulam beams.

A modern cantilevered cabin is also elevated.

By having the cabin elevated, it catches more breezes and has excellent cross-ventilation.

A black cabin that's elevated and has a wall of windows.
A modern cabin elevated in the forest.
A modern and black elevated cabin.

The cabin is also solar-powered, and heat is provided by a high-efficiency “green carbon” wood stove that can be found in the living room.

This modern cabin is solar-powered, and heat is provided by a high-efficiency “green carbon” wood stove that can be found in the living room.

The interior of the cabin is lined with wood, however, the black-framed windows, which travel the length of the cabin, provide views of the surrounding area.

The interior of this modern cabin is lined with wood, however the black-framed windows, which travel the length of the cabin, provide views of the surrounding area.
A modern cabin with a wood lined interior, and black framed windows ans structure.
A modern cabin with black-framed windows.

A pop of color was added with the inclusion of a bright blue kitchen.

A cabin with a bright blue kitchen.
Photography by Scott Norsworthy | Architecture Firm: Kariouk Architects| Team: Paul duBellet Kariouk (Principal Architect), Chris Davis (Architect), Adam Paquette (Intern Architect), Frederic Carrier (Design Associate), David King (Design Associate), Sarah McMurtry (Design Associate), Steven Schuhmann (Design Associate), Joel Tremblay (Design Associate) | General Contractor: GPL Construction / Gilles Langlois | Structural Engineer: Daniel Bonardi Consulting Engineers | Heavy Timber Consultant: StyxWorks | Heavy Timber Assembly: Laverty Log Homes