The Shack

A weekend retreat on Hinkle Farm in West Virginia.

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.

A tiny weekend retreat in West Virginia. Designed by Broadhurst Architects.

15 comments

  • Teresa says:

    Love your little cabin! Just a correction on the flag, it needs to be hanging with the stars on the left as you look at it.
    Thanks!

    • Ben says:

      No it doesn’t. Sometimes the wind blows the other way you know. The flag is proper no matter what side the star field is on. Hand it how you like…

  • Jon says:

    Love the location and garage door type opening. Your flag is hung backwards though. The field of stars goes in the upper left corner when hung vertically. Lovely place. Is there a bathroom in the back? Well done.

  • James says:

    Very nice indeed.
    Good effort.
    Unfortunately, all of the experts who visit this site will be quick to criticise…!
    But I like it’ll
    .
    Well done.

  • Love your cabin and the terrain is familiar…we also have a cabin in WV, a tiny one, 12×24, electricity, no running water. We use a rain barrel for the outdoor shower. I noticed your rain barrel on the side. Do you manually carry water for the shower or pump it to the shower somehow? Hope someone is staying there at times. Gotta love the view.

  • Dorothy says:

    Love the pull down overhead door/windows idea. And being from WV myself I can say the view can’t be beat. These photos prove how beautiful it is.

  • Thomas says:

    Interesting use of a full view garage door. Speaking from experience (family business), “them things ain’t cheap.” I used scrap insulated garage door panels to build a shed once, worked wonderfully and looked great. Just a word of advice, keep the springs lubricated with lithium grease (Not WD-40), with the heat fluctuation from the wood stove they will collect moisture and either bind or break and thats one sound you don’t want to wake up to in the middle of the night.

    What an incredible view you must have in all seasons. I hope I can find as beautiful a spot here in Northern NY along the Adirondacks.

  • Ron T. says:

    I saw a garage door (varnished wood) like that, it vanished into the ceiling in a big old house years ago. It separated the entry hall from the dining room, and when opened, made a huge room for entertaining during the holidays. I always thought that was a clever idea.

  • Sandy says:

    Is this cool place rented out

  • Tom Ross says:

    Hello, I love your cabin! I look at it every day and “no” I’m not a stalker. LOL!! I would love to have one just like it here in South Carolina. My question is….where did you get the beautiful roll up glass door? Would love to hear from you! Thanks, Tom

  • I’ve never been the biggest fan of tiny houses. But I’m not gonna lie this blog has been changing my mind. This one is lovely and the surroundings are gorgeous.

  • craig says:

    I love the state of West Va; I drive thru it each time I visit the folks on ym way to Pennsylvania; I would be thrilled to find such a property and erect a small tiny gem such as this, ( and I don’t care what direction the flag hangs). Who can I chat with to assist me ?

Leave a Reply to James Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *