Gallery: Vashon Island Cabin Creates a...

Who doesn’t love a quiet country escape after a long week in the urban mix? Surrounded by nature and stunning views, one lucky family in Washington has found itself with a stylish escape they’ve named the Vashon Island Cabin. An eye-catching, modern three-bedroom waterfront retreat, this cabin was carefully designed by Vandeventer + Carlander Architects to include an innovative layout atop a compact 172 m2 lot. The new building features extensive windows throughout which not only allow for great views of the Puget Sounds, but also make the most of natural light and passive solar heating.

The new cabin also features exposed concrete floors, with energy-efficient hydronic heating, which serve as a heat sink for passive solar heating. Moreover, sun screens and operable windows providing cross-ventilation provide for natural cooling, in turn alleviating the need for mechanical air-conditioning.

The strong box corners and simple shapes of the design have been created with a wooden box insertion breaking up the volume of the main cabin nicely. The plan well encompasses the master bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, meaning the overall cabin feels anything but small. In addition, the daylit basement includes a family room, two bedrooms, and a new bath with laundry. The cabin was completed in 2009.

+ Vandeventer + Carlander Architects