Shelter Architecture
shelterarchitecture.com
Greg Elsner, AIA; Jackie Millea, AIA; Mike Stark, AIA; Lisa Antenucci; Jackie Colpaert; Keely Ashton, AIAS
Shell Lake Cabin
View this home exclusively online on our virtual tour, available September 17–October 12.
Project Type: New Build
Set along the tranquil shores of Shell Lake, the site holds deep significance for the client who spent summers at the nearby arts camp and later returned as an instructor. He envisioned a retreat that would honor the land and his connection to it through a design that was ecologically responsible, artfully crafted, and deeply rooted in place.
The resulting cabin is a modern interpretation of the classic A-frame, a form synonymous with American cabin culture. With laminated timber framing and minimalist detailing, the structure feels both grounded and elevated—evoking simplicity, elegance, and timelessness. The home’s modest footprint supports the client’s preference for compact living and underscores the project's commitment to sustainability and universal design.
Carefully sited to preserve the landscape and maximize lake views, the cabin feels seamlessly integrated into its surroundings. Local sourcing and craftsmanship were also central to the process—from the milled-on-site white pine trees repurposed for interior finishes, to the steelwork fabricated by regional artisans for the custom staircase.
Beyond aesthetics, the home exemplifies regenerative design through its alignment with the Living Building Challenge’s CORE Green certification. Materials were vetted for health and sustainability, and innovative systems like rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and an energy recovery ventilator work together to minimize the home’s environmental impact while enhancing comfort and performance.
This cabin is more than a beautiful, high-performing retreat—it’s a quiet but powerful demonstration of how built structures can restore, honor, and give back to the land they occupy. Through its thoughtful design, this project offers a hopeful, replicable model for sustainable living rooted in craftsmanship, wellness, and place.
Sustainable Design Elements
This retreat incorporates many important sustainable design features. The cabin is build with FSC-certified wood throughout, and fallen timber from the site is repurposed throughout the interior. Foam-free Roxul insulation was used on the project, which has a superior quality and longer-term durability. A 50-foot row of solar panels on site, in partnership with other energy efficiency elements like an energy recovery ventilator, a SPAN smart panel electrical system, a geothermal heating and cooling system, and a high-efficiency wood stove, bring the home near net zero in terms of energy consumption. Low-carbon fly ash concrete and non-red list materials were used throughout the project.
AIA Framework for Design Excellence: Design for Well-Being
The cabin embodies the principles of design for well-being, considering the well-being of not just the residents, but the environment, the workers who built it, and the community around it. One-level living promotes aging-in-place and accessibility for all. Excellent air quality, thermal comfort, and natural light throughout the home improve occupant well-being and lived experience. The use of healthy materials and the preservation of the natural landscape will ensure that the environmental impact of the project is minimal on the surrounding area.
What is the AIA Framework for Design Excellence? Learn more »