The Prarie Cabins rest in a dense deciduous forest beside a small spring-fed stream. Positioned perpendicular to the stream’s topography and its riparian zone, which meanders and extends through the surrounding rural landscape, the cabins are carefully sited to minimize disturbance to existing trees while maximizing guests’ sense of solitude. A network of trails and bridges encircles the four cabins and links to additional paths and an adjacent conference center beyond.

The green exteriors blend with the surrounding forest during the spring and summer months and complement the natural tones of the landscape in fall and winter. The interiors utilize a warm palette of materials and furniture along with Douglas Fir structure and siding.

The cabin buildings are simple and direct in form, recalling the vernacular farmhouses of northwest Missouri. Each of the four cabins is composed of two units, 650 square feet each. Within each unit, a bathroom, entry, and service area sit beneath a low ceiling and open to a vaulted space that combines sleeping, living, and working areas.