Heliotrope Architects designed this contemporary mountaintop cabin to take advantage of the spectacular setting of Buck Mountain while also preserving it. Nestled into the steep hillside, this Orcas Island hideaway lies in the heart of the San Juan Islands in Washington State. The site brought about several challenges, this included a steep grade and a narrow clearing created by a rocky outcropping.

Initially, the firm was approached to consult on site selection, however, they encouraged the the clients to focus on features unique to the San Juans such as grassy basalt rock outcroppings set within a Douglas fir and pacific madrone forest. The owners later purchased a hillside parcel possessing these features, the rock outcroppings forming a small clearing.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS Heliotrope Architects CONTRACTOR Tye Contracting Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN Native Landscapes CABINETRY Space Theory

Rather than remove trees to open the view, the firm embraced the existing conditions as they found them. The compression created by this natural opening heightens the water view in the main living spaces, while giving bedrooms and bathrooms a sense of being deep in the forest.

The cedar-clad home, anchored to basalt at one end, floats out into the tree canopy, 22 feet above ground, to embrace expansive views on the other side. An intentional quietness to the architecture emphasizes the landscape and takes subtle features into account, like the glow on the hillside that lights up the space each evening as the sun is setting.

Pocketing sliding doors at either end allows for fluid movement and minimizes the distinction between interior and exterior. Sleeping and bathing spaces are oriented toward more intimate views into the forest and rocky hillside to the north.

These spaces take advantage of a north-south cross-slope with views out to the hillside, its reflected light lending a warm quality to these more intimate spaces.

The home needed to be economical, durable, and weather well over time. Toward that end, the firm avoided precious or complicated materials and systems and focused on simple utility, which harmonized well with the overall aesthetic.

The 1,527-square-foot building form is purposefully simple in expression, with large protective overhangs and south-facing clearstory windows providing for winter solar heat gain.

The material palette, consisting of solid-body stained wood, concrete floors, and sheetrock: is simple and durable. Site disturbance was minimized, and tree removal was avoided, by limiting the building footprint and required excavation.

This was achieved through an efficient floorplan and the use of cantilevers and point-load columns with minimized footings, poured without excavation on exposed bedrock.

What We Love: This Black Mountain cabin is idyllically perched to provide sweeping views of its natural surroundings. High above a tree canopy, the tranquil setting is maximized throughout with large walls of glazing. We love the concept of the kitchen and living area connected to a cantilevered deck (which also helps to limit ground disturbance) that overlooks the rugged beauty of the San Juans.

Tell Us: What are your overall thoughts on the design of this home? Let us know in the Comments, we enjoy reading your feedback!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of the architects of this project, Heliotrope Architects: This black cabin in the San Juan Islands takes shelter in the woods and Striking modern shelter welcomes dramatic views over Lake Washington.

Above: The kitchen features black granite countertops, black-stained oak cabinetry and metal panelling for the island. The flooring is concrete.

PHOTOGRAPHER Taj Howe​ and Sean Airhart

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