Northern Writing Studio by Mathison Mathison Architects
Northern Writing Studio lands in Northport, MI, United States, as a compact house-scale retreat by Mathison Mathison Architects. The project replaces an aging garage beside a turn-of-the-century farmhouse, giving the owner a place for writing, rest, and time with family. Plainspoken in form and tuned to daily use, it folds a small sitting room, galley kitchen, and lofted sleeping quarters into a durable, modern shell.
Wind brushes a dark, matte facade as daylight pools at the threshold. Behind the quiet exterior, a compact volume opens to warm wood and an honest concrete floor.
Set in Northport, this small house-scale studio by Mathison Mathison Architects replaces a worn garage to support writing, rest, and time with family. The build completes a simple brief with hardwearing materials and a clear sequence that keeps the structure tough outside and welcoming within.
Dark Skin, Warm Core
Outside, black cementitious panels meet Shou Sugi Ban cedar to create a resilient shell with crisp lines. The cladding reads as one continuous wrap, tempering the street presence while anchoring the studio to the farmhouse edge. Inside, natural light washes across pale wood surfaces and softens the transition from the moody exterior. A central wood stove settles the room and sets a steady, intimate rhythm.
Concrete Underfoot
A polished concrete floor runs wall to wall and does the heavy lifting: it resists wear, stores heat, and grounds the compact plan. The finish reflects light without glare and gives a quiet base for the warm timber above. At the entry, the slab’s fine sheen meets the stove’s dark mass with a clean joint. It feels solid underfoot.
Build Tight, Live Small
The main level stays lean with a modest sitting area, a galley kitchen, and a bathroom aligned for easy use. Upstairs, a loft holds sleeping quarters, a closet, and a compact laundry tucked into the eaves. Each room is pared to what’s needed, reducing clutter and letting materials carry the tone. Nothing shouts.
Charred Cedar Craft
The Shou Sugi Ban siding brings deep color and pronounced grain to the envelope, its char layer adding texture and durability. Against the black cementitious panels, the cedar’s pattern reads like a subtle relief, especially in raking sun. Detailing stays spare so joints, corners, and openings sit clean and calm — a measured approach that lets weathering write the next layer.
Farmhouse In Dialogue
Set slightly back from the street, the studio gives the historic farmhouse breathing room while sharing a clear material logic. The planned renovation will honor the farmhouse form, while the new build holds the contemporary line just behind it. Old and new trade light, shade, and stance without mimicry. The pairing feels deliberate.
By day, sunlight lifts the wood grain and skims the concrete with a low sheen. By night, the stove’s glow gathers the rooms and marks quiet time for work or rest. In this small build, material choice stays front and center, and the result reads steady and sure.
Photography courtesy of Mathison Mathison Architects
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