Whether it’s in dollhouse form or as one of the many vacation homes that proliferated in the 1970s from Mount Hood to Fire Island, the A-frame is an instantly recognizable—and beloved—-architectural style.
Perhaps that’s why this DIY tiny home is just so dang cute. Built by photographer Alla Ponomareva and her husband Garrett as a guest house for their home near Missoula, Montana, the A-frame measures just 80 square feet. Even more impressive is the cost and build time: Using designs from tiny house enthusiast Derek “Deek” Diedricksen, Ponomareva built the cabin in three weeks for around $700.
The cheap price tag came in part thanks to the A-frame’s recycled materials. Small spaces don’t need much, so the couple used many items they already had lying around, like window frames, boards, nails, and roofing. The cabin’s front steps were hewn from surrounding logs, and the forest also provided material for the countertop.
Like Diedricksen’s other designs, one wall of the A-frame is transparent to provide natural light. That’s also the wall that lifts out to provide a much larger living space and an indoor-outdoor experience. While we might worry about mosquitos, Ponomareva says in her blog that Montana doesn’t have many so the open door hasn’t been a problem, even at night.
The cabin’s two single beds can be pushed together to create a larger sleeping space, and a single solar panel can charge a smartphone or two. Because the A-frame functions as a guest cabin instead of a primary residence, there’s no running water or toilet. But Ponomareva says that there is an outdoor toilet and a portable solar shower not far from the cabin.
Check out a few photos below, or head to Ponomareva’s blog for construction photos and more.