Cabins of the future campaign sees over 60 designs

Community Forests International are close to announcing the winning design of their backwoods cabin of the future.

About a month ago CFI sent out a call for sustainable, energy efficient cabin designs to be built this summer. They received 62 entries from 20 different countries.

"We are very happy with the results of the competition. We didn't have a registration so we had no idea how many people were going to participate," said program director, Daimen Hardie.

The designs had to be less than 184-square feet, sleep two people, have room for a wood stove and be weather resistant.

It also had to have a minimal carbon footprint.

"There was quite a diversity," said Hardie. "Some drew inspiration from our local building traditions.. steep sloping roofs with gables which are familiar to shed the weather."

Some of the designs are portable, multi-level and carefully blend in with their natural surroundings.

Others drew inspiration from First Nations building traditions, making the cabins portable.

"There was a blend of techniques… things like medieval Russian architecture, very dramatic sloping roof entirely clad in shingles and ornamentation that kind of look like horns. Some from Japan that are exciting and innovative in how they save space."

All of the designs are available to view online. The winning entry will be announced on April 15 in Saint John and will be built in late May or early June.

"There's a jury of architects, local artists and builders pouring through designs now evaluating them."

The designs are also open to the public for voting on a people's choice award. There will also be an award for architectural poetry.