Project: Boar Shoat Cabin
Architects: Imbue Design
General Contractor: YNot Construction
Location: Bear Lake, Idaho, United States
Area: 2,125 square feet
Completion: 2019
Photo Credits: Imbue Design
Before the concept of social distancing became widespread, the owner of Boar Shoat Cabin sought isolation not due to a pandemic, but as a retreat from the fast pace of city life. Nestled on a 60-acre plot surrounded by the Rocky Mountains in Southern Idaho, this off-grid modern cabin represents a perfect blend of minimalism, sustainability, and the tranquility of nature.
A Minimalist Design in the Wilderness
The Boar Shoat Cabin serves as a spartan, functional base camp, featuring three compact structures: the main residence, guest quarters, and storage. These structures form a perimeter around an open-air pavilion, which acts as the heart of the retreat, offering a large outdoor living space shielded by an expansive canopy. Designed with simplicity in mind, this layout not only provides shelter but also frames the stunning views of Paris Peak and the surrounding landscape.
Sustainable Off-Grid Living
One of the cabin’s key features is its self-sustaining design. Completely off the grid, the off-grid modern cabin utilizes passive solar strategies to maximize energy efficiency. Windows are strategically positioned to capture solar heat in the winter, while the roof overhangs provide cooling shade in the summer. Power is generated through a photovoltaic array placed atop the pavilion’s canopy, supplemented by battery storage and a backup generator. This energy-efficient design, combined with a super-insulated building envelope, ensures the cabin maintains comfortable interior conditions year-round.
Low-Maintenance Materials and Natural Aesthetic
The exterior of the Boar Shoat Cabin is clad in accordion-shaped metal panels, chosen for their durability and resistance to the harsh winters of Southern Idaho. These panels create ever-changing patterns of light and shadow throughout the day, adding visual interest to the design. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows bring the natural surroundings into the home, while clean white walls showcase an extensive art collection created by the owner’s daughters. Natural wood ceilings and untreated concrete floors complete the minimalist interior, offering a warm yet practical living space that embraces the natural environment.
Local Construction and Lasting Durability
Local builders Logan and Steven Schenk from yNot Construction ensured that the construction of this off-grid modern cabin was completed using locally sourced materials and labor. This commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy use to the very materials and methods used in its construction, emphasizing the cabin’s integration with its rugged surroundings. The surrounding landscape remains wild and untouched, further enhancing the sense of isolation and immersion in nature.
A Modern Escape from Urban Life
The Boar Shoat Cabin embodies the ideal balance between off-grid living and modern comfort. This off-grid modern cabin offers a peaceful escape, where solitude and nature take center stage. The design focuses on sustainability, low maintenance, and minimalism, making it a perfect retreat for those looking to disconnect from the noise of city life and reconnect with the natural world in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
