![A small wood shingle cottage with a pentagonal shaped terrace that's recessed into the wood shingle clad building.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/small-shingle-cottage-with-covered-outdoor-viewing-space-160521-1140-01.jpg)
Designed by Canadian architecture firm YH2, this small cottage-like building was originally built as a storage space by the first owner who was a lumberman.
Preserving the surrounding nature and the footprint of the building, the shed was later rearranged and turned into a forest refuge by its next owners.
One of the new build’s key design elements is a pentagonal-shaped area that’s recessed into the wood shingle-clad building.
![A small wood shingle cottage with a pentagonal shaped terrace that's recessed into the wood shingle clad building.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/small-cottage-dark-wood-shingles-160521-1140-02.jpg)
Stepping back from the cottage, you can see a pair of bench seats that are located on either side within the alcove that’s been finished in a bright white.
![Stepping back from this cottage, you can see a pair of bench seats that are located on either side within alcove, that's been finished in a bright white.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/small-cottage-dark-wood-shingles-160521-1140-03.jpg)
There’s a wood walkway inside the cottage that leads to a pentagonal-shaped window with a door in it. The door opens to provide access to the seating that’s positioned to take advantage of the different views.
![From inside the cottage, there's a wood walkway that leads to a pentagonal shaped window with a door in it. The door opens to provide access to the seating that's positioned to take advantage of the different views.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/covered-outdoor-seating-viewport-160521-1141-04-scaled.jpg)
Let’s take a look at the rest of the cottage…
The dark cedar wood shingles are complemented by black window and door frames throughout.
![The dark cedar wood shingles of this cottage are complemented by black window and door frames throughout.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/small-cottage-dark-wood-shingles-160521-1140-05.jpg)
Inside the design is minimal, with concrete floors and wood accents.
![A small cottage with a minimalist design, concrete floors, and wood accents.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/glass-wall-sliding-door-160521-1141-06-scaled.jpg)
The wood flooring leads to stairs that travel up the small building and bridges that connect spaces, with the viewpoint found on the top floor.
![A small cottage with wood and concrete floors, and black window and door frames.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/wood-concrete-flooring-160521-1141-07.jpg)
![Modern black and wood stairs.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-black-wood-stairs-160521-1142-09-scaled.jpg)
![A small cottage with interior wood bridges / walkways.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-interior-wood-flooring-160521-1142-08.jpg)