michael quirk reuses local wood to complete tiny carbon-negative cabin in colorado's forest

michael quirk’s net zero carbon cabin in the forest

A quaint retreat in the forested landscape of Nederland, Colorado, this tiny net zero carbon cabin is built with local and reused materials for an eco-friendly living experience that offers inhabitants a chance to reconnect with nature. Built by Michael Quirk using only simple and sustainable materials, the cabin highlights the potential designers have to turn the construction industry’s contribution to climate change on its head by rethinking their building practices.

The architect thus completes his yet unnamed cabin with hemp insulation and locally sourced wood varieties with energy-efficient qualities, and also installs solar panels for an off-grid renewable energy system for a low carbon footprint living experience in the middle of the forest.

a tiny net zero carbon cabin in the Colorado forest | all images by Michael Deleon

a new sustainable standard for construction

Completed within a year and on a small, practical budget, the project rethinks harmful construction practices that continue to contribute to the pressing climate crisis. Colorado-based architect Michael Quirk makes use of a minimal carbon negative material palette paired with net zero energy usage to create a tiny hemp home that boasts a smaller carbon footprint than traditional construction. 

The majority of the project’s carbon storage comes from wood and hempcrete and hempwool insulation. In dialogue with its natural context, both inside and out the cabin has been finished with a variety of woods — including locally sourced birch plywood, reused treated cedar shiplap siding and Pine Shou Sugi Ban charred wood siding. Further, Quirk makes use of samples from his previous architecture projects for the accent metal panels which further allude to nature with their coloring. The architect also installs solar panels along the sloping roof so that the home can create its own renewable energy year-round. 

local and reused materials create an eco-friendly living experience amid nature

pine Shou Sugi Ban wood clads the facade and echoes the textures of the surroundings

the wood and hemp home boasts a smaller carbon footprint than traditional construction

the wood’s raw texture engages in dialogue with the living trees

inside and out, the cabin fosters a harmonious relationship with nature

a minimal material palette: reused steel finishes in contrast with the exposed wood

project info:

name: Tiny Carbon-Negative Eco Cabin
architecture: Michael Quirk

location: Nederland, Colorado, USA

size: 11 sqm

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom