This cabin was designed from the inside-out for a family that wanted to separate communal family areas from sleeping and bathing areas. The separation took a literal approach in the form of a catwalk, but not one that is limited to circulation purposes. The catwalk feels open with glazing on both sides and features a special area for reading or simply enjoying the view.

On one side of the catwalk is the official entry into the cabin with a mudroom and adjoining laundry room. The front door is intentionally centered with the view beyond the dining table and large glass sliding doors to outside. An open concept allows the family to be together, whether cooking in the kitchen or enjoying the view in the living area. Tucked around from the living area is an open-desk area for the occasional work need.

The other side of the catwalk houses a sleeping and bathing wing. The master suite boasts a water view, complete with its own balcony for morning coffee. A hallway with ample daylight connects the remaining two bedrooms with a shared bathroom, easily partitioned for simultaneous usage.

Windows adorn every facade of the cabin to ensure even the innermost spaces receive enough natural light. A large, wraparound deck complements the communal family area, offering additional opportunities for the family to BBQ, host dinner parties and admire the view of the islands.

Due to the onset of the pandemic and rising building costs, this project underwent a value engineering exercise where project costs were cut by reducing overall square footage and simplifying the exterior deck footprint. This is represented in the second floor plan image below. Most importantly, this floor plan preserves the functional requirements for this family by maintaining separate communal and private areas and the general look and feel of the home. In some ways, the revised floor plan offered new opportunities for a more spacious master bedroom and bathroom, a bathroom with separate water closet room and a true walk-in-closet. Despite revisions to the original concept, massaging the footprint and maintaining flexibility were key to meeting client needs for a realistic design plan.