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framing in progress at Killasonna Lodge
B U I L D I N G A C A B I N
We began looking at cottages and land in late summer, 2002. We had the idea of either buying or building a summer cabin. We clocked hundreds of miles, driving back and forth across the peninsula in search of the right property, but we kept finding ourselves drawn to “the lake.” Eventually we found ourselves along the Lake Michigan shore, staring at a thick woods. For sale. We looked at the shore again (the photos on our HOME page were taken that afternoon). Of course, we fell in love with it right away.
Our initial vision was a 1,000 square foot, 3-season cabin in the woods. We drew dozens of floor plans and elevations, pushing rooms around as needed and learning that you can’t have very many in a 1,000 square feet. We added a tower in some of the schemes; a place one can climb up thirty or forty feet to ponder the magnificence. Of course one can’t do without a mud room. Where else to put the washer-dryer? We quickly recognized that it’s essential that the main entrance have plenty of room for everyone’s coats, snowshoes and boots. And everybody knows that the bathroom is a bottleneck. We promptly decided to have two (and the mud room offers the option of a future third). Two bedrooms, really, are plenty for a cabin. But we panicked and added a spare one. And a loft. And a den. Slowly, a floor plan began to emerge.
The first developed design was a contemporary wedge-shaped structure, punctuated by a tall tower from which to view the lake. We envisioned that the clean and simple shape would contrast nicely with the soft texture of the pines, cedars and maples. But In early discussions with the carpenter, it began to appear that he simply didn’t understand our drawings. Simultaneously, we began to experience an unfamiliar urge for something more romantic. Something contextual. Something . . . northwoodsy.
When we next met with the carpenter we unveiled an alternate design; one that eschewed the traditional cabin vernacular. The new drawing showed a steeply pitched roof, enormous timber rafters, wide rough sawn siding, big dormers, and a broad porch facing the lake. His eyes lit up. “Now we’re talking,” said he. There was a certain excitement in the air that afternoon. He promised to have his proposal “soon.” We left for home, where we began preparing bid packages and estimates for all the rest. There was a flurry of activity. Emails, faxes, and hardcopies flew across the border with urgency. When the dust settled several weeks later we had a frank discussion and concluded that our initial assumption was still correct: We could readily afford a 1,000 square foot, 3-season cabin in the woods. But “project creep” had expanded our “cabin” to a “lodge.” A heavy timbered, northwoods lodge with a soaring ceiling, custom windows, a stone fireplace and many thousands of board feet of pine and cedar. What to do? We figured and fuggered and fudged, and talked about how we could cut back on this or that. Possibly, the roof pitch could be lowered. Naw. And there was the gnawing problem that the great room really needed to be at least a foot wider. Could we substitute the high end windows with inexpensive single glazed barn sash? No way. Perhaps we could delete the porch. Who were we kidding?
After much consternation and debate, we decided that if we rented the place out some of the time, we could enjoy it the rest of the time. And so here we are.
We chose the name Killasonna (Lodge) after the name of the original plat of subdivision for the land in 1922. We decided to call the combination living, dining and kitchen the "Winnebago Room ," to commemorate the Native American people who first lived in this part of Door County. (The other rooms have exciting names too.)
Although we are "in the business" of architecture and building, we learned a great deal about building a cabin. It was a rewarding and satisfying experience, particularly because we met so many interesting, skilled and genuinely helpful people in doing it. We poured a great deal of sweat into the project and we are simply ecstatic about the results.
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K I L L A S O N N A L O D G E
Jacksonport, Wisconsin
John & Carolyn Brzezinski,
Proprietors
Evanston, Illinois USA
For information, please call 847-475-1518
(from outside the U.S. please dial 00-1-847-475-1518)
or
email: info@killasonna.com
copyright 2005- all rights to all photos & content on this website - John Brzezinski