The Kootenai Lodge is a uniquely developed site along the Swan Lake in Bigfork, Montana. Originally a summer hunting and fishing camp for the Copper Barrons of Montana, it hosted many celebrities over the years such as Charles Lindberg, Will Rogers, and Charlie Russell.
Building in the Kootenai is highly restricted and the architecture is scrutinized to make sure that the end result pays homage to the “Legacy Cabins” that started out as one room log cabins that received additions and improvements over several decades.
Our home was conceived as just that. A large, one room log “lodge” was located at the center of the H-shaped plan, and various wings were extruded from that initial volume. We skinned the wings in either board and batten siding or a true bark shingle sourced in North Carolina. The interiors were all richly decorated with wood trim, wallpaper and custom tilework. Each room has a graduating degree of natural light, from the easily darkened Library (for media viewing) to the back in time vibe of the Lodge, to the live-in kitchen which is always awash with sunlight.
