Mell Lawrence Architects

Jewell Box

Photography: Nathan Kirkman & Leonid Furmansky

Project Team: Mell Lawrence, Hector Martell, & Morgan Parker

The client expressed a desire for a “cabin in the woods” - a relaxing place to sit on the property among the trees. Appearing as a compact solid form from the street, the Jewell Box is situated to face the creek and wooded parkland that borders the site. The building was designed to maximize the shade of two impressively large live oaks that flank the structure, providing constant shade throughout the day.

Inside, a dominant double height living and dining space defines the primary gathering area while the functional programs of kitchen and bathrooms tuck into the casework wall at the back of the open room. Upstairs, the lofted bedroom overlooks the living and dining space below while a folded steel plate guardrail establishes a level of privacy. Acting as an extension of the bedroom, the screened porch nestles, treehouse-like, into the enormous live oak tree.