Lindal Homes: Reinventing the A-Frame as a Modern Green Home

The classic triangular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-Frame_house">A-Frame cabin</a> is a tried-and-true house design that was popularized in the 1960's, when it came to symbolize the joys of owning a vacation home. During these years <a href="http://lindal.com" target="_blank">Lindal Cedar Homes</a> revolutionized the traditional 'swiss chalet' A-Frame design when they launched a patented <a href="../architecture/prefab-housing/" target="_blank">construction kit</a> for A-Frame homes that made it easier than ever for families to build a second home. Now, to celebrate the company's 65-year anniversary, Lindal Cedar Homes has unveiled an <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm" target="_blank">updated, modern take</a> on their classic A-Frame that showcases sustainable materials and keeps construction waste to a minimum. Read on for an introduction to the <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-Frame</a>!

Sir Walter Lindal started <a href="http://lindal.com" target="_blank">Lindal Cedar Homes</a> in Canada back in 1945. He launched the company after he saw the benefits of prefabricated building during his service in the Canadian Army during World War II. He holds the patent on a specific style of <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm" target="_blank">A-Frame Cabin</a> that was popular in the 1960s.

Lindal's A-Frame revolutionized vacation homes and was pictured on the cover of Popular Mechanics in 1966. The original design featured a steeply-pitched gable roof and a two-story wall of glass on either end.

A-Frame cabins were tremendously popular from the 1960's onward. Their simple, sturdy construction made them a great choice for families looking to construct a second home.

A-frame cabins are easy to manufacture, ship, and construct, and are less expensive than other vacation homes. The design came at a time when many families were embracing the opportunity to own a vacation retreat.

Lindal's traditional A-Frame has seen slight upgrades and modifications over time, but it still largely consists of a steeply-pitched roof with large triangular windows on the ends.

In honor of Lindal Cedar Homes' 65-year anniversary, the company has unveiled a redesigned A-Frame for the modern home owner. The <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-Frame</a> is based on a system of three building blocks, which can be rotated to take advantage of different views and orientations. Flat or pitched roofs and various other additions can also be included to create your own dream home.

The home plans consist of 18 different units, which can be put together in hundreds of different ways with flat or steeply pitched roofs. The <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-Frame</a> series is based on three predefined shapes. Staying true to the original spirit of the A-Frame, the <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-Frame</a> is compact, bold, and features full-height glass walls, loft space, and the same no-nonsense building process that that accompanied the original.

Lindal also has five pre-designed homes to choose from that range from 1,200 sq ft to 1,900 sq ft. Or you can customize and design your own to fit your needs -- Lindal's local dealers, most of whom are <a href="http://www.nahbgreen.org/" target="_blank">NAHB Green Building accredited</a>, help design each home specifically for its site, taking into account environmental conditions and solar passive design.

<a href="http://lindal.com/">Lindal Cedar Homes</a>' <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm" target="_blank">A1 1200</a> <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-frame</a> is a two-bedroom, two-story home with a modern flat roof and large floor-to-ceiling windows, which are directly inspired by the A-Frame

<a href="http://lindal.com/">Lindal Cedar Homes</a>' <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm" target="_blank">A2 1500</a> <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-frame</a> is a two-bedroom house with a second story lofted above the main living area. It also includes the pitched roof and clerestory windows.

<a href="http://lindal.com/">Lindal Cedar Homes</a>' <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm" target="_blank">A4 1700</a> <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-frame</a> is a two-bedroom house with the second room upstairs. The flat roof line and central breezeway give the home a modern profile.

<a href="http://lindal.com/">Lindal Cedar Homes</a>' new <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm" target="_blank">A5 1900</a> <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-frame</a> is a two-bedroom house in the shape of an L with a large central living area and an upstairs bedroom with a flat roof.

<a href="http://lindal.com/">Lindal Cedar Homes</a>' <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm" target="_blank">Modern Studio</a> is the smallest version of the <a href="http://lindal.com/homes/gallery/Modern_A-frame.cfm">Modern A-frame</a> and is perfect for a backyard office, a studio, or an extra bedroom.