I recently used Google SketchUp for the first time. It is a tremendously powerful, free, and easy-to-use CAD system to model the cabin design. I was able to master the software within an hour or so.




After really staring at the basic cabin design for awhile, I decided that the cabin really needed a porch of some kind. We have an 8x12 covered/screened porch on our house here in Moscow, and we really enjoy that space, especially in the summer. I think some kind of outside porch is critical to the value of a cabin like this. Someplace to sit and drink a cup of tea in the shade, leave snowy boots, or just listen to the night. I have visions of being up at the cabin in the rain, and sitting on the porch enjoying the rainfall while also being outside and staying warm and dry...



Anyway, I've been toying with how to add a roof and a porch to the cabin. With these images, you can see the working design. I do believe that I've finally settled on a complete design (as shown in the first picture).



I need to work out some of the joinery details, but I think that this design is essentially complete.



NOTE: For perspective on scale, the man in the drawing is approximately 6' tall, and the bench on the porch is approximately 6' long.