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Serene cabin retreat tucked in the forest next to Washington’s Hood Canal

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This serene cabin retreat designed for family getaways by Wittman Estes Architecture overlooks the Hood Canal of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. The design of this home is inspired by the native killdeer bird. The retreat is essentially an expression of ‘tactile modernism’, connecting the family to the sensation and physical experiences of the Puget Sound ecosystem.

The new cabin and bunkhouse of this 1.13-acre forest getaway are poised on a bluff overlooking the Puget Sound. Floor-to-ceiling windows, flanked by slender steel posts, and flat eaves combine to minimize the structure and maximize the available view.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Wittman Estes Architecture STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Strongworks Structural BUILDER Jack Colgrove Construction

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As avid bird watchers and naturalists, the owners wished for a family getaway that would immerse them in the stillness of the forest and capture the delicate Washington sunlight and views toward Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains to the west.

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The vision was a retreat where the family — a couple with two grown children — could come together and celebrate their passion for being outdoors and connect with the native flora and fauna of Hood Canal.

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The project has three elements: 1) The repurposed 20’x20’ footprint of the original cabin, 2) the cabin addition, and 3) a new bunkhouse and bathroom to the north. The three structures are a continuous interconnected series of experiences devised to celebrate family gatherings in natural light and fresh air.

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Above: The entry vestibule is a transparent connector between the sleeping wing and the main cabin.

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Above: High clerestory windows enable views of the outdoors while inviting natural light inside.

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Above: A Murphy bed transforms the cabin living room into an additional bedroom.

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The original cedar cabin was constructed on the property in 1962. This original dark and opaque cabin left the owners feeling cut off from nature. “We sought to dissolve the barriers between the inside and out, between forest, garden, and structure,” states the architect.

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Above: In the main cabin, an outdoor patio has a barbeque that expands outward from the kitchen counter. The cedar deck provides breathtaking views of the Hood Canal and beyond to the Olympic Mountains.

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Above: In the main cabin, the indoor-outdoor kitchen features a pass-through window, extending the interior countertop into the outdoor concrete counter that has a built-in wood barbeque.

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What We Love: This serene cabin retreat offers a family a secluded escape to connect with nature and spend quality time together. We love how there are separate structures for the family to have their privacy yet also come together for family meals and entertainment. Simple structures allow this family to be connected with their surrounding environment. The result is a cabin that celebrates the beauty of nature through architecture.

Tell Us: What details in the design of this home caught your eye? Would this be your idea of the ultimate family getaway? Let us know in the Comments!

Note: Take a look at another one of our favorite home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of Washington: Modern cabin inspired by Danish design on the Hood Canal, Washington.

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Above: Reclaimed beams and siding from the original cabin were re-purposed as countertops and interior cladding. Simple details and a restrained material palette kept the construction budget to a minimum.

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Above: Natural light pours into the interiors, which feature minimalist details such as plywood walls and ceilings, along with warm cedar boards and cast-in-place concrete. The floors are fir wood.

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Above: The main bathroom features a repurposed, cast iron tub that provides a peaceful feeling of bathing in the outdoors.

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Above: A separate bunkhouse on the property offers additional sleeping quarters.

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Rough-sawn cedar siding and cement panel finishes on the exterior facade will develop a natural patina over the course of time, harmonizing the cabin with the hues of the surrounding woodlands.

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PHOTOGRAPHER Andrew Pogue

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