Weekend Cabin: Maison Boisset, Switzerland

The Alps are filled with modern interpretations of the mountain refuge, some so wild it seems as if their only goal was to thumb their nose at tradition. Far more subtle and restrained are when owners remodel the old and classic, keeping the exterior timeless and humble, while making the interior slick as a stainless steel countertop. A buron in Niercomb, France, comes to mind, as does, of course, this renovated barn in Switzerland.

From the outside, the only hint of a facelift is the large picture window facing down valley and new wood on the porch. When Savioz Fabrizzi Architects began work on the barn, they kept as much of the exterior as possible, retaining the larch siding and ditching only what was unsafe to keep. Entrance is via the middle of three levels into the kitchen and living room, while the master bedroom is on the top floor and the kids room on the bottom.

Architects: Savioz Fabrizzi

Photos: Thomas Jantscher

Weekend Cabin isn’t necessarily about the weekend, or cabins. It’s about the longing for a sense of place, for shelter set in a landscape…for something that speaks to refuge and distance from the everyday. Nostalgic and wistful, it’s about how people create structure in ways to consider the earth and sky and their place in them. It’s not concerned with ownership or real estate, but what people build to fulfill their dreams of escape. The very time-shortened notion of “weekend” reminds that it’s a temporary respite.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Kevin January 18, 2013 at 14:58: Cool stuff as always Steve.

Chris January 19, 2013 at 17:45: I sure hope they put the pictures back up on the walls after this photo shoot.

Cat January 21, 2013 at 19:27: WOW this is amazing. I want one of these cabins to live in full time here in the US. They remind me of the tumbleweed houses.