Small-Footprint ‘Swamp Huts’ on Stilts
So much land, yet so little space to build. Two decades in the designing (much less in the making), this strange-looking, multi-structure solution is lofted on a lovely ten-acre lot where only a fraction of one acre could be physically built upon.
Literally called “Swamp Huts” by its creator Moskow Linn Architects, the structures stand tall among the greenery with curiously translucent skins.
Sited along one edge of an expansive piece of land outside of Boston, four wood structures were set up in relation to one another and the surrounding landscape. Creating identical frames helped tie the various detached pieces visually back together, but also naturally reduced construction costs.
Each hut is dedicated to a different core set of domestic functions: two bedrooms (single-master and guest-double), kitchen/bathroom (with solar shower and composting toilet) and an outdoor, picnic/deck-style dining room area that stands out due to its lack of roof. Raised up, these remain relatively safe from the encroaching swampland specifically and periodic flooding in general.
Plenty of natural light and a central fire pit help make a camping-like connection to nature, while steeply-pitched roofs abstractly reference wilderness-type residential forms such as tents, tipis and yurts.
Here’s a quick overview of the practice, via their website:
“The New England region has a legacy of rich craftsmanship and environmentally friendly design. The masonry and wood taken from the local landscape are the epitome of the Yankee traditions. Some designs incorporate reclaimed wood, while others use harvested wood (tree removal permit explains tree harvesting requirements if you wish to process local wood for use in your next property).”
