A Lakeside Hideaway

by Paul Thomas
(Near Avranches, Normandy, France)

'Lakeside hideaway'

Having become a big fan of decks and deck construction while living in California in the 80's and 90's, I have built a few myself since moving back to Europe - including this 'Lakeside Hideaway'.

OK, it isn't so much a lake as a fishing pond. But my client, a musician, wanted somewhere he could be away from tv's, phones, computers etc, relax and write music.

Having surveyed the site together, he told me what he was kind of looking for. I went away and came up with a few ideas for him.

We agreed on a few details and set to work by getting a digger in to prepare the area. I built the deck and cabin structure single-handed over a period of about 4 months part-time.

The main base structure and cabin frame are of treated softwood bolted to recycled plastic posts set into 3ft concrete. The posts, railings, ballustrades and ship-lap cladding are all green oak.

The roof is covered with fabricated slates on stainless steel hooks. The windows and doors are reclaimed and the interior is clad with rough sawn pine t&g.

The flooring is reclaimed meranti (mahogany) t&g.

The entire cabin is insulated with 150mm glasswool. The light panels on the cabin sides are offcuts of 'tiger thatch' ecoresin panels by 3-Form.

The woodburning stove is from Godin. The exterior deck surrounds three sides of the cabin; at the front and then steps leading to a lower level where there is a cleat for tying a boat.

More photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/ptnormandie/LakesideCabinHideaway

Paul Thomas
ptnormandieatgmail.com