Camp Campos

Location: Lake James, NC
Type: New Construction

Roasting marshmallows by the fire, summer days spent on the water of nearby Lake James, walking trails through the woods. With busy lives working in medicine and raising two young daughters, the owners of this getaway wanted a spot to unwind without distractions.

This cozy getaway at Lake James nestles into the forest parallel to the existing topography. The form of the home consists of two gabled cabins connected in the middle by a transparent “bridge.” The bridge is a modern homage on the traditional dogtrot breezeway seen in many historic Appalachian structures. The division creates a clear separation between public and private spaces.

The owners had two goals for their home – adaptability and expandability. They have two young daughters and envision this home as something that will be cherished for generations to come. The design needed to be comfortable whether there were two people there or ten. The resulting design is succinct and functional with three bedrooms, a bunk room and 2.5 baths.

The property this cabin sits on was once part of an old logging trail near the lake edge. We used this to our advantage. Always wanting to disturb the site as little as possible, we chose to use the path of the logging road instead of cutting into the trees. The home feels secluded from the community roads and neighbors, nestled into the hillside overlooking the water.

The meandering drive brings you down to the home where a linear graded lawn with a fire pit is the first element to greet you. This was purposeful so that outdoor living was the introduction to the home. A bridge off the main living space flows seamlessly onto the linear lawn, perfect for enjoying the view by the fire or for setting up a tent. The rotation of the cabins on the site allow for optimal views of the surrounding forest and Lake James. These views are experienced through large expanses of glass used throughout the living spaces and bedrooms.