BIRCHAVEN

Project Location: Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin

The cabin was designed as a multigenerational retreat for a family and their adult children, some now with families of their own. The property has been held by the family for many years and was previously home to a modest, timeworn cabin that had reached the end of its life. The new structure replaces it with a thoughtful and enduring response to both family legacy and landscape.

Perched on a sloping hillside, the site offered a natural opportunity to orient the cabin toward sweeping views down to the lake below. The design embraces this topography rather than imposing upon it, allowing the building to settle into the land. The footprint subtly bends at the entry, a deliberate gesture that follows the natural contours of the hill and creates a welcoming transition from exterior to interior. This shift in geometry also helps frame views and define a sequence of spaces as one moves through the cabin.

Material selection was guided by durability, low maintenance, and a desire for the building to feel rooted in its surroundings. Exterior finishes were chosen to weather gracefully over time and to harmonize with the colors and textures of the surrounding forest and landscape. Together, these decisions result in a cabin that feels both contemporary and timeless—a place designed to support evolving family traditions while maintaining a strong connection to the land that has long been central to the family’s story.

Architectural: Deconstruct Architecture
General Contractor: Kuckkahn Construction
Interior Design: o&o studio
Photographer: Josh Groth