There has been a shift in how people think about travel.
It used to be that travel was less about accommodation and more about the day’s adventures, which was fine since people just needed somewhere to sleep, and the room only had to be clean and have working Wi-Fi. However, travelers no longer want to stay in basic accommodations. Instead, they want to stay somewhere memorable. They do not want to stay at a place that is a generic footnote to their adventures.
This has led to a surprise entry to the market for the boutique A-frame.
Nobody Remembered the Room that was Just Average
A hotel room, no matter how nice it is, is still completely and totally generic. You could be in Phoenix or Pittsburgh and only tell by the carpet if the room is actually in Pittsburgh. Guests are starting to realize this, and after you have stayed somewhere intentionally and with a clear purpose, it is impossible to go back to an average hotel.
That is the niche boutique hotels fulfill. And it turns out the A-frame is one of the best building types to serve that purpose.
The Shape that Disrupts All Others
The A-frame originated from cabin culture and mid-century American aesthetics. A-frames are the design that was used for cabins that people built to provide a weekend escape at the lake or in the mountains. For many years, it was just a quaint part of the American landscape.
Then something changed.
The things that make a stay feel extraordinary are among the defining features of A-frame structures. The steep roofs, the volumetric interiors, the walls of glass that blur the division between the outdoor landscape and the A-frame’s interior — these elements make the A-frame unmistakable. They also photograph extremely well. This shape is rugged and wilderness-bound, yet refined and sophisticated enough to be a design statement.
At AvrameUSA, A-frames are where we begin. We specialize in pre-engineered structural framing systems and A-frame house plans. Our goal is to simplify the first part of the construction process so our clients can spend less time worrying about the logistics and more time envisioning the possibilities within the finished structure.
The Structure Sets the Stage. Design Writes the Story.
An outstanding A-frame structure is the perfect launchpad. How the rest of the story is told is an entirely different discussion.
The beauty of an A-frame design isn’t something people book for. The beauty of an A-frame design doesn’t earn 5-star reviews. An outstanding design may begin with the structure, but the true defining element of an A-frame design is the finish — the selection of materials, furnishings, framing, overall mood, and the flow of the interior space.
This is where design partners like Tali Design Studios are so important. Founded by the San Francisco-based interior designer Tamra Lambert, Allied ASID, LEED AP, Tali strikes that perfect balance. As a micro-resort concept and design studio, Tali considers how guests will move through a space and what they will notice upon entry. Tailing a photo-realistic guest persona, they consider how a guest feels as they engage with space, what captures a guest’s attention as they enter a room, and the level of care that a guest may feel as design elements come together. Their boutique hospitality resort design philosophy serves as the cornerstone of each project, as they believe appearance and design are only one element of the complete guest experience.
With creative thinking and an A-frame, some truly unique designs are born.
Two Cabins. One Vision. A Little Town in the Utah Desert.
Kanab, Utah, in one of the most picturesque landscapes in the Western United States, is home to The Midnight. Explore more, and you will see Grand Canyon National Park to the East, Zion National Park to the North, and the Grand Staircase to the West. Tucked into the downtown of this little oasis are two thoughtfully designed A-frame cabins.
The Midnight offers 460 square feet of space and features a king-size bed, a spa-inspired bathroom, and a hot tub set beneath the starry Utah sky. After nearly 100 stays, Midnight has received a 4.89/5-star guest rating, with comments such as “thoughtful,” “stunning,” and “the exact design needed.”
The Elk Horn follows the same philosophy and builds upon it to offer three bedrooms, a private hot tub, and a fire pit. The open living space and long dining areas sound perfect for gatherings big and small. Like everything else in AvrameUSA structures, The Elk Horn has a perfect 5.0 rating from every guest.
This isn’t by chance. It starts with a solid A-frame foundation and design that focuses on an experience that goes beyond just the physical.
It Never Was About the Amenities
If you’ve read enough reviews for similar structures, you might’ve noticed that guests rarely brag about amazing amenities. They share how they felt during their stay and how each guest felt cared for, which is a huge part of the experience and, importantly, of the structure. It’s the difference between the mediocre and the memorable.
That is the philosophy behind everything we do at AvrameUSA, ensuring that builders have the foundation and structure they need so that they can focus on providing the perfect design and the little elements that guests will ultimately care about most.
If You’ve Ever Thought “I Want to Build Something Like That…”
If you’ve ever dreamt of building something like the A-frame design, you aren’t the only one. One important thing to remember is that it isn’t as far out of reach as you might be thinking.
This concept has proven successful time and time again. Travelers are willing to splurge and pay extra for the A-frame boutique cabins, which are more distinctive than traditional hotel rooms. The journey to owning an A-frame cabin begins with finding a design and construction partner.
Browse our floor plans and pricing options, and contact our team to begin creating your dream home.
Dream it. Build it.
