ADU

“The name 'Unfinished House' refers to an aesthetic attitude…. Self-finishing materials were selected to reduce resources and reveal the building’s construction. Tile and plywood are the only added ‘finishes’; They cover areas with wiring and plumbing,” the architects tell us. “The building is an all-timber structure with cellulose and wood fiber board insulation. Many of the materials were locally-produced including the wood framing, plywood, corrugated metal, and wood cladding.”

The Konga Float houseboat features a prefabricated design that operates fully off-grid.

The houseboats are designed with laminate, opting instead for aluminum windows and ample wood elements.

Every Pod comes with a covered veranda

"Some people want a manicured garden, but I'm of a different mindset," says Patnaik. She left the grounds untamed and organic. "If we're building in the wild, I want to live in the wild."

The bunkie features a 1925w solar array, complemented by additional battery storage and a backup generator. This creates more than enough power for the family to live a comfortable modern life, complete with a 40-gallon water heater.

It took a total of 24 days to install the unit. “We prefabricated the framing, the insulation, and the waterproof sheeting, which are all panelized so all that the contractors had to assemble was the interior finish and the exterior siding,” says Lee.

The steel roofing is from Hamilton in Southern Ontario. The doors were reclaimed from a local hotel. The windows are from a Mississauga company. The trim and cabinetry is milled from oak trees that they cut down to build the driveway. “It’s as local as it gets,” says Liz.

Interior fixtures and finishes were purchased at an auction—like blue mosaic tiles Liz snagged for $30, and the flooring, too. Doors were rescued from an old hotel.

Floor Plan of Hilltop A-Frame by Jacqueline Blum

Eastwind Oliverea Valley is one of three locations from the brand; other destinations include Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains, and the original resort in Windham, New York.

Guests have access to a communal fire pit, dry and infrared saunas, and a yoga/meditation room.

The Lushna Suite has a lofted sleeping area, and the lounge space opens to a deck.

Guests at Eastwind Oliverea Valley can stay in A-frame cabins, dubbed Lushnas, and Scandinavian-inspired hotel rooms.