Jacob Witzling is a second-grade teacher who designs and builds magical wooden cabins in the forest in his spare time. So far, he’s created six unique cabins, plus another on the back of a Ford.
Jacob Witzling is a second-grade teacher in the United States who designs and builds incredible remote cabins – from scratch.
This is the third cabin Jacob ever built. It has an octagonal base and an octagonal pyramid roof. Picture: Erik Hecht
The United States-based creative renovated his first cabin at 16-years-old. He lived in this 1920s cabin before building his very first cabin from scratch at age 21.
“I first knew that I loved cabins when I was very young and I began looking at the book Handmade Houses,” Jacob tells us.
The deck of Jacob’s second cabin was crafted from an old bowling alley. Picture: Instagram/@lostintheforrest
Using upcycled lumber and scraps found at nearby construction sites, Jacob built his first cabin for around $US800 ($AU1,108).
Though he wasn’t professionally trained, Jacob had gained the skills he needed through teachings from his childhood.
“My father taught me basic carpentry and remodelling skills beginning when I was eight years old. I also learned a lot of skills from my childhood friends who were also carpenters in their twenties,” he says.
Jacob’s brother and best friend both helped to build this Gothic-inspired cabin in the Catskill mountains. Picture: Instagram/@JacobWitzling
Jacobs has since built a further five cabins, plus another on wheels that sits atop a 1979 Ford F-250.
The Truck Cabin was crafted from salvaged wood and cost about $US2000 to build. Jacob, along with his partner Sara Underwood, built the structure in just 11 weeks and they now use it to travel around the States together.
“Like all my cabins, I tried to design it to have animalistic-looking qualities,” Jacob says.
The ‘Truck Cabin’ is Jacob and partner Sara’s latest creation. Picture: Instagram/@SaraUnderwood
On where he garners inspiration for his creations, Jacob says: “Fantasy and sci-fi movies like the Ewoks of Endor and the Lord of the Rings”.
You can see the influence shine through in his finished designs. More often than not, the cabins will feature unique elements such as steep, pitched roofs and sleeping nooks.
Inside, the cabins are cosy and warm. Picture: Instagram/@lostintheforrest
Most of Jacob’s cabins can be found in Washington, while the other two are in Maine and New York.
Some of his cabins have running water and power, but those that don’t have access to water nearby and are designed to run off a 12-volt battery system.
All cabins are within a short distance from composting toilets.
Jacob says his Truck Cabin looks something like a rhino, dragon or dinosaur. Picture: Instagram/@SaraUnderwood
Speaking of what’s next for Jacob and Sara, he says: “We are in the process of buying a property where we will be building a wonderland of artisan cabins”.
They’re calling it ‘Cabinland’.
Sourced: www.realestate.com.au
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