Design guide / ARCH-S / 20 October 2026
Cabin design.
From the plan to the detail.
For a private retreat, a lake cabin or a short-term rental: compare the layouts, understand the drawings and define what your site needs.
Four stages. One coordinated design.
Illustrated with original Skylight 1B samples. A reading sequence, not a construction manual or an installation order.
01. Foundations
Locate supports from the site, ground conditions and load path.
02. Floor & frame
Coordinate floor levels, primary members and the roof frame.
03. Roof & enclosure
Resolve drainage, insulation and airtight junctions together.
04. Services & interiors
Reserve routes for systems before closing the finishes.
Architectural design package
Skylight / One bedroom
Open living. Mezzanine retreat.
- Layout: trace arrival, kitchen and living space before climbing to the mezzanine.
- Frame: steel members and concrete supports sit behind the timber finishes.
- Interior: coordinate stair clearance, guarding, furniture and service access.
Architectural design package
Skylight / Two bedrooms
More privacy within the same family.
- Layout: compare the main floor with the two bedrooms and bathroom above.
- Frame: steel primary members support the mezzanine and the separate roof-rafter system.
- Interior: review door swings, storage, acoustic separation and bathroom routes together.
Architectural design package
Skylight / Three bedrooms
A ground-floor suite. Two rooms above.
- Layout: compare the ground-floor suite with the two upper bedrooms.
- Frame: the enlarged support arrangement includes the additional ground-floor wing.
- Interior: coordinate the additional wet areas, bedroom privacy and circulation.
Upper floor and frame drawings
Published architectural design presentation
SHIFT Cabin
A sheltered living room. A separate bedroom.
- Layout: the public ground-floor plan shows the bedroom, bath and arrival storage.
- Section: read usable loft space against the sloping roof, not floor area alone.
- Envelope: coordinate glazing, roof edges and weather protection for the actual site.
Design development
Onda Cabin
A curved edge. A carefully planned loft.
- Layout: living and kitchen below; bedroom, workspace and powder room above.
- Structure: preliminary loft supports remain subject to engineering and connection design.
- Interior: study privacy screens, the side stair and service access together.
Portfolio design study
Elite House
A generous centre. Two quieter wings.
- Layout: the original Casitas plan separates the bedrooms around the central room.
- Roof: resolve the junctions between the central volume, wings and porches.
- Interior: develop the tall room, furniture scale and bedroom privacy together.
Independent concept
Fold Cabin
A folded roof. A sheltered threshold.
- Space: test the relationship between the central room, wing and outdoor threshold.
- Next drawing: develop a measured plan and section before choosing structural solutions.
- Next detail: resolve roof drainage and connections where the volumes meet.
Let the site shape the cabin.
- Lake or woodland: survey, access, shoreline constraints and services before choosing a footprint.
- Guest stays: privacy, luggage, cleaning storage and maintenance deserve space in the plan.
- Several cabins: plan access, shared areas and servicing together, not as repeated isolated units.
Explore Paraíso Lodge and our masterplanning work for a different scale of design. They are not presented as operating-rental case studies.
Your next step.
Bring the location, intended use, preferred cabin and available site information.
ARCH-S can help adapt the design and define the local approval work, with scope and fees agreed separately. Or take editable CAD from an available package to your own contractor for a quote.
Packages, permits and rental use
These are architectural designs, not accommodation listings. A package does not establish permission to build or host, or promise rental income. Check the current product inclusions and the requirements for your location. See Airbnb's location-based hosting information and Building America on structural connections for general background, not project approval.