Lake Cabin Hackensack, MN

BEA: 2024 Renovations Classic Winner

The end use of this building is the legacy family cabin.

The planning for this cabin began ten years ago. Dave has talked with several timber framers. Most of them recommended the use of a SIP enclosure. After meeting with Dennis Keep, Dave knew that building with SIPs was the best option for this project for the speed of construction and energy efficiency.

SIP wall thickness and core material: 5 1/2" EPS core
SIP roof thickness and core material: 11 7/8" EPS core

The benefit or using SIPs is the ready-to-assemble panels were a definite advantage with this project because of the number of windows involved. The owner couldn't believe how quickly the SIPs were installed.

The timbers used were from a barn built in 1840 near Connersville, IN. The barn was built with 160 timbers. They were able to use 157 of these timbers in the Camp David cabin. The cabin was built with the same layout as the barn. Dave noted that the electrician had experience wiring with SIPs, and prefers wiring SIP homes over stick-frame. He said it is easier because you don't need to cut a hole through each stud - the work is done for you.

HVAC: The basement has in-floor heat. The rest of the home is heated with a propane-forced air furnace. The home also has central air and an air exchanger.

Energy-saving materials: Energy-efficient Marvin windows and doors.

The cabin is surrounded by trees creating ample shade in the summer, and wind protection in the winter. The cabin has 84 windows providing a great deal of natural light. The windows also allow the natural art of the outdoors to fill the walls.

Dave grew up on a farm in rural South Dakota and has had a lifelong appreciation for barns. When he saw the barn in Connersville he was fascinated that this barn was built and in use when President Lincoln was practicing law. The trees used for these timbers likely date back to the Revolutionary War. This history is important to Dave. By keeping the original layout of the barn, he notes that it is fun to think about the different areas of the barn. For example, the threshing room of the barn is now his dining room and the grainary area is
where the bedrooms are located. One of his favorite features is the ceiling, which was faced with black ash tongue and groove flooring plank with the exposed timbers. Dave has owned his lake property for over 30 years. He said that this property has many fond memories, and he looks forward to passing this cabin down to his children and grandchildren. His wish is that it stays in his family for many generations as a legacy.