A Mediator Between Privacy and Nature

This 352 square foot cabin is located on high bluff waterfront affording views across Saratoga Passage to Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountains. Located midway on a flat bench between the uphill access road and the bluff, the cabin sits below adjoining uphill neighbors. Utilizing an existing concrete foundation and adjoining garden, the solution mediates between the needs for privacy from the neighbors while promoting a connection to the garden and views.

The solution, a basic wood frame box with two large pairs of doors that open both to the garden and views. A secondary element, a metal clad wall, was used as a privacy screen incorporating the garden. A "plane" in the form of a shed roof was inserted to create a sleeping loft. The void between the box and plane was glazed to reinforce the formal composition while affording views and light.

Construction was kept basic for the owners acted as their own general contractor and finish carpenters. The main box is wood framed and clad in Fiber cement panels while the secondary elements were clad in metal panels. Windows and doors were aluminum storefront reinforcing the low maintenance requirement. A stained concrete slab was used for the main floor. The owners finished the cabin using cherry and maple plywood utilizing the same formal vocabulary and construction techniques exhibited on the exterior. Heat is provided by a Rais wood stove and augmented by electric coils in the concrete slab.