Being tasked with creating a getaway cabin that matches the beauty of its surrounding landscape can be a tall order. When that cabin has the jaw-dropping Teton Range as its backdrop, it’s a near-Herculean challenge. But with thousands of builds in a variety of impressive settings under their belts, PrecisionCraft Log and Timber Homes was confident they could deliver.
In this case, the task takes the form of a 2,100-square-foot timber frame cabin nestled in a private community in Driggs, Idaho. Known as “Tributary,” the luxury development features an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and wellness center across its 1,500 acres of majestic countryside.
The vision for the cabin was simple — a place that takes its cues from every aspect of the region, allowing it to serve as both a natural base camp and retreat. To begin, PrecisionCraft’s in-house architectural team, M.T.N Design, used the wide-open spaces of America’s West as their guide. The interiors boast a free-flowing, open-concept design that makes the modest footprint live large.
Todd Gailey, a PrecisionCraft client representative, says the structure’s aesthetic hearkens to its regional roots. (Old-West homesteaders were not a fancy bunch.) “The beauty is in the simplicity,” he says. “You basically have a bunch of different rectangles hooked to each other.” The shared living, kitchen and dining area exist in the largest installation and the primary suite in another, with a central piece, housing two en-suite guest bedrooms, connecting them.
What makes this simple concept fitting for a luxury development is the intentional use of materials that allow it to be rugged and refined at the same time. Reclaimed barn wood and stone clad the exterior, while the Douglas fir frame is comprised of free-of-heart-center (FOHC) timbers, which, as Todd explains, offer a “premium look” with less checking, therefore creating a more finished aesthetic. “All of the timbers are surfaced on four sides, so they are really smooth with clean edges,” adds Todd.
But the cabin isn’t just good looks. It also sports the highest standards in efficiency. The high-quality Douglas fir ensures the structure’s strength and stability, while the sloping roof system sheds snow with ease — an especially important consideration given the area’s propensity for extreme weather. The pairing of the frame with 6 1/2-inch structural insulated panels guarantees interiors that stay warm and cozy, despite temperatures that regularly dip below zero. “It is probably one of the most insulated products that we have ever put together,” says the home’s builder Rand Olsen. “In fact, PrecisionCraft is so confident in their product, they even include a blower-door test as part of their package.” (This test measures airtightness and, thereby, the capacity for energy-efficiency in a home.)
Clearly, the cabin is made for mountain living, but with its clean lines and natural building materials, it’s a study in modern architecture, too. It continues its commitment to the style with a harmonious indoor-outdoor connection. To create a sense of place in its environment, PrecisionCraft and M.T.N Design incorporated glazing at every turn. Most notably, a trio of floor-to-ceiling windows along the rear of the shared living areas frame unimpeded views that eschew the need for any other artwork. Floor-length curtains soften up the wall of windows, while chunky black casings stay true to the contemporary aesthetic.
But, of course, gazing at the great outdoors from inside is one thing — easing out under the endless canopy of blue and being immersed in the expansive environment is another. M.T.N Design included seamless access to an open-air courtyard through a pair of doors off the main living area, as well as from the primary bedroom. “Everything is centered around that courtyard,” explains Todd.
The view from the patio’s edge would make even the well-traveled guest stop and stare — the medley of green and yellow grasses stretching out to shadowy gray-blue mountains; fir trees reaching for sapphire skies; the calm, clear waters of a small pond just beyond. It’s easy to see why Tributary’s Director of Real Estate Jeff Heilbrun says a hallmark of the cabin is the emphasis on an “outdoor-centric lifestyle.”
Throughout the home, forgiving finishes —durable flooring, stone countertops and floor-to-ceiling tiled bathrooms — ensure that nothing is too precious. As planned from the beginning, the cabins are an ideal retreat before and after pursing all the area has to offer, from hiking to fly-fishing. Whether it’s settling down on the plush sofa in the living room for your morning coffee or throwing your feet up in front of the outdoor fireplace in the courtyard under the stars after a day of exploration, the Tributary cabin is made for adventure and respite — just like the world beyond its walls.
Home Details
Square footage: 2,100
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 3 Full, 1 half
Designer: M.T.N Design
Timber Provider: PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes
