Nursing the Swedish Log Cabin Back to Health
The small Swedish Log Cabin residing in Zilker Botanical Gardens has quite the history. Built in 1838, the cabin was deconstructed, relocated, and rebuilt five separate times throughout Austin. Cabin advocate, Barbara Pate, has strong sentimental attachments to this cabin, the same place where her grandmother was born. Her family history has long been tied to this cabin and Pate wants to see it restored again.
The grade level log was damaged and rotting due to rainwater running off at the base of the cabin. The interior was also in bad shape, as it was often intruded by animals. Pate pushed the city for six years to get involved and make reparations, and finally got her wish in 2011 when the city commissioned the project.
h+uo architects is working with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department to restore the cabin. In order to divert streaming water, a rain water garden is being built, and an accessible path is being created for visitors to use while venturing to see the cabin.
The renovations are in the drawing phase, and the cabin is on its way to becoming a spot visitors can enjoy again!