The site is unique, with its remarkable low bank beach and an even more remarkable 25 foot shoreline set back. The clients, a young family with two small children, wanted this cabin to be as intimate as possible with the beach.
The design incorporates both rustic (for him) and refined (for her) elements. The objective is a space that will endure years of wear and tear from kids running in and out from the beach. Crucially, it maintains the intimacy with the outdoor world.
Tree density and compass location eliminated the option of facing the house to the beach: natural light and solar gain being essential to the comfort of the interior environment. To best capture the combination of view and light while maintaining privacy from neighbors, we devised an angled "L" positioning, with the second floor rotated off of this alignment
Honoring the rustic and refined desires of the couple, we distinguished between floors. The lower floor is simple and blends with the exterior - all store doors and unfinished rough cedar siding. The upper floor is more "considered" - an unexpected window pattern and smooth stained tongue and groove cedar siding lends a refined feel.
