As the weather warms, many Oregonians begin to plan camping trips – and why wouldn’t they? We are surrounded by beautiful, wild forests, mountains, rivers and lakes. It’s a natural playground that we all cherish…but for some, pitching a tent might be…well…a stretch. So how about a “Shack”?

Constructed by the architectural team at Broadhurst Architects this creative project – aptly named, “The Shack” was the perfect solution  for one family’s desire to have a simple, yet comfortable weekend getaway minus all the tent set up. Located on the southern slope of South Fork Mountain, near Upper Tract, West Virginia the occupants enjoy the year round beauty of the rolling hills and pastures.

Here’s the description from the architects themselves –

“The shack was created as a logical step between tent camping, and the yet unrealized weekend cottage. This fundamental shelter has no electricity. Oil lamps provide light. Heat is provided by a small wood stove, which is also used to heat water that is delivered to the “kitchen” sink by a gravity system. The vertical drop is achieved by using a hand-powered bilge pump to fill an overhead storage tank. Rain water is collected from the roof as part of the outdoor shower system. Acknowledging the constant struggle between mouse (and occasionally rattlesnake and bear) and man, the shack sits upon four wood posts with rodent barriers, a detail borrowed from local corn cribs. The board and batten siding is locally milled pine. The roof is standing-seam terne.

The southeastern façade of the building is opened to a cantilevered wood deck with an overhead-acting aluminum and glass garage door. A removable canvas awning serves to shade the deck and extend the living space during wet weather. Small windows on the northwestern façade allow the mountain breezes to flow through the building, and allow occasional views of cows on the adjacent pasture.”

Clearly, a lot of thought went into meeting the owner’s needs while maintaining a simplistic and environmentally friendly take on the project. Love that!

So wouldn’t you take this place over a tent? I would!

Have a fantastic weekend!

All images via here.