Design in the Details

Smart Cabin Technology That Actually Works in Remote Areas
Smart Cabin Technology That Actually Works in Remote Areas
Remote cabins and off-grid properties present unique challenges for implementing smart home technology. Unlike urban smart homes that rely on constant internet connectivity and grid power, remote locations require robust,... Read more...
Building a Healthier Cabin: Your Complete Guide to Natural Insulation Materials
Building a Healthier Cabin: Your Complete Guide to Natural Insulation Materials
Most conventional insulation materials contain chemicals that can off-gas into your living space, creating indoor air quality issues that are particularly problematic in the tight, well-sealed cabins that perform best.... Read more...
Why Your 'Eco-Friendly' Cabin Materials Might Be Toxic
Why Your 'Eco-Friendly' Cabin Materials Might Be Toxic
"Why Your 'Eco-Friendly' Cabin Materials Might Be Toxic" Material health, off-gassing, and indoor air quality Read more...
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget: Part 5
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget: Part 5
Most builders spend tens of thousands on oversized heating and cooling systems to compensate for poor design choices, but smart cabin builders are using five passive strategies that cost nothing... Read more...
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget, Part 4
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget, Part 4
Today, I'll show you why right-sized solar arrays cost less per watt, perform better, and deliver faster paybacks than the oversized systems most builders install. More importantly, I'll explain the... Read more...
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget: Part 3
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget: Part 3
Ever heard of sick building syndrome? Your super-insulated cabin can be so airtight that it creates indoor air quality problems—but the solution actually saves you $3,300 while providing better air... Read more...
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget, Part 2
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget, Part 2
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget, Part 2: Think building high-performance walls is expensive or complicated? Discover how two smart framing systems—continuous outboard insulation and double-stud walls—eliminate... Read more...
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget - Part 1:
How to Build a Net-Zero Cabin on a Shoestring Budget - Part 1:
Part 1 of a 5 Part Series of Budget Friendly Net-Zero Design and Construction. Part 1: FPSFMost builders unknowingly pour $20,000 down the drain by choosing the wrong foundation—creating cold... Read more...
5 Construction Details That Separate Amateur from Professional Builds
5 Construction Details That Separate Amateur from Professional Builds
After 15 years, I've identified five construction details that separate weekend warriors from true craftsmen—master these, and your cabin will stand strong for decades; ignore them, and you'll be making... Read more...
Sobokuya Stone Foundation
The Foundation Decision That Determines Everything
The foundation you choose isn’t just structural—it determines your building’s energy efficiency, durability, and long-term costs, with the wrong decision potentially leading to $50,000+ in cascading failures. A $2,500 geotechnical... Read more...
Soil-Specific Foundation Selection Guide
Soil-Specific Foundation Selection Guide
Choosing the right foundation depends heavily on soil type, climate zone, and site-specific conditions. Clay soils require moisture-managed, engineered systems like pier and grade beam foundations, while sandy soils favor... Read more...
The Hidden Architecture Rule That Makes Small Cabins Feel Massive
The Hidden Architecture Rule That Makes Small Cabins Feel Massive
Discover the hidden architectural principle that makes small cabins feel expansive and luxurious—without increasing square footage. Drawing from the timeless strategies of Frank Lloyd Wright, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple, and Tom Kundig,... Read more...