This Compact Cabin Folds Up When Not in Use
A writer's work retreat on Washington’s San Juan Island offers the comforts of home in 500 square feet
Karen Egly-Thompson
28 May 2017
Houzz Contributor
There’s a saying that good things come in small packages. This writer’s cabin could be proof of that – its 500 square feet of space certainly packs a big punch. The compact structure features a serene workspace, a sitting area with a wood-burning stove, a kitchenette, a bathroom, a hideaway bed and walls that fold down to form a deck. It’s an efficient layout that quiets the eyes and mind so this writer can get to work.
Photos by Tim Bies Photography
Houzz at a Glance
Location: False Bay, San Juan Island, Washington
Size: 500 square feet (46 square meters)
Design team: Paul Schlachter of Apollo Design Studio (project management); Olson Kundig Architects (architectural design)
Originally from Atlanta, the couple visited the San Juan Islands many times and envisioned someday making a home there. Eventually, they found a property on the shoreline of False Bay. While their main home overlooks the water, they had the writing cabin built about 100 yards away from the house in thickets of evergreen salal, sword ferns and Pacific yew. The writing studio, designed collaboratively by Apollo Design Studio and Olson Kundig Architects, serves primarily as a workspace, but it can also accommodate guests in a pinch thanks to a Murphy-style bed.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: False Bay, San Juan Island, Washington
Size: 500 square feet (46 square meters)
Design team: Paul Schlachter of Apollo Design Studio (project management); Olson Kundig Architects (architectural design)
Originally from Atlanta, the couple visited the San Juan Islands many times and envisioned someday making a home there. Eventually, they found a property on the shoreline of False Bay. While their main home overlooks the water, they had the writing cabin built about 100 yards away from the house in thickets of evergreen salal, sword ferns and Pacific yew. The writing studio, designed collaboratively by Apollo Design Studio and Olson Kundig Architects, serves primarily as a workspace, but it can also accommodate guests in a pinch thanks to a Murphy-style bed.
Mild steel painted obsidian black forms much of the structure. The windows, sliding door and substantial roof overhang nods to Pierre Koenig’s iconic 1960 Stahl House in California’s Hollywood Hills. A PVC roof collects rainwater and discharges it into a single scupper for irrigation on the property.
Because the soil in the area is rocky, and pouring a traditional foundation would be cost prohibitive, the cabin was built on a steel frame resting on concrete piers. The rear section, which houses the kitchen and bathroom area, has a traditional footing system to protect the plumbing and electrical systems.
The decks on three sides can fold up to seal the cabin off when not in use.
Because the soil in the area is rocky, and pouring a traditional foundation would be cost prohibitive, the cabin was built on a steel frame resting on concrete piers. The rear section, which houses the kitchen and bathroom area, has a traditional footing system to protect the plumbing and electrical systems.
The decks on three sides can fold up to seal the cabin off when not in use.
“The system works through a series of pulleys that are calibrated to lift both sides of each deck or shutter simultaneously,” says project manager Paul Schlachter of Apollo Design Studio. “Through a series of electric winches located under the cabin, the decks are controlled by standard wall switches inside.”
The deck surface is ipe wood, which has an extremely tight, dense grain and offers excellent slip and rot resistance. Like cedar, untreated ipe wood will eventually turn grey, which Schlachter says was the intention.
Inside, the same ipe planking wraps the ceiling surface and pairs beautifully with engineered oak flooring.
A Danish wood-burning stove warms the main living space on chilly days. It also rotates so it can be enjoyed indoors or on the deck. The blackened steel floor strip functions as a non-combustible material at the base of the stove to meet code. But instead of limiting it to the stove perimeter, the design extends in a continuous ribbon through the hallway where it wraps back up the wall as a black-framed window.
The driftwood sculpture in the corner was found on the property. “Winter storms routinely push weathered and washed driftwood up onto the rocks below the house,” Schlachter says.
Wood-burning stove: RAIS; desk: custom made by contractor Dan Lowe, Lowe Construction
A Danish wood-burning stove warms the main living space on chilly days. It also rotates so it can be enjoyed indoors or on the deck. The blackened steel floor strip functions as a non-combustible material at the base of the stove to meet code. But instead of limiting it to the stove perimeter, the design extends in a continuous ribbon through the hallway where it wraps back up the wall as a black-framed window.
The driftwood sculpture in the corner was found on the property. “Winter storms routinely push weathered and washed driftwood up onto the rocks below the house,” Schlachter says.
Wood-burning stove: RAIS; desk: custom made by contractor Dan Lowe, Lowe Construction
Custom built-ins made of rift-cut white oak hide a Murphy-style bed. The outline of the bed is visible here behind the painting.
A small kitchenette and bathroom tucked behind the wall housing the Murphy-style bed checked off all the boxes on the homeowner’s wish list — a toilet, sink and shower. The kitchenette includes a small refrigerator, sink and hot plate for making coffee.
While the shutter system seems to captivate everyone, Schlachter says he’s most proud of the efficiency of the floor plan. Getting every little program detail packed into a tiny footprint proved to be the most challenging aspect of the project.
A small kitchenette and bathroom tucked behind the wall housing the Murphy-style bed checked off all the boxes on the homeowner’s wish list — a toilet, sink and shower. The kitchenette includes a small refrigerator, sink and hot plate for making coffee.
While the shutter system seems to captivate everyone, Schlachter says he’s most proud of the efficiency of the floor plan. Getting every little program detail packed into a tiny footprint proved to be the most challenging aspect of the project.
Floor plan from Apollo Design Studio
This floor plan illustrates the full configuration of the cabin. Two points of entry at the rear of the cabin open onto the work area and seating area.
The Murphy-style bed is shown with a dotted line on the left side. The kitchenette sits behind the bed wall, and the bathroom is opposite it, behind the sofa seating area.
The rear exterior of the cabin also leaves space for kayak storage.
Contractor: Dan Lowe, Lowe Construction; pulley system engineering: Turner Exhibits
Read more:
Houzz Tour: This Sprawling Vadodara Home is a Tranquil Retreat
Houzz Tour: This Penthouse Challenges the Conventional Use of a Wall
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this house? Tell us in the Comments below.
This floor plan illustrates the full configuration of the cabin. Two points of entry at the rear of the cabin open onto the work area and seating area.
The Murphy-style bed is shown with a dotted line on the left side. The kitchenette sits behind the bed wall, and the bathroom is opposite it, behind the sofa seating area.
The rear exterior of the cabin also leaves space for kayak storage.
Contractor: Dan Lowe, Lowe Construction; pulley system engineering: Turner Exhibits
Read more:
Houzz Tour: This Sprawling Vadodara Home is a Tranquil Retreat
Houzz Tour: This Penthouse Challenges the Conventional Use of a Wall
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this house? Tell us in the Comments below.
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What a great design! I may concentrate in Historic Preservation, but I do love contemporary design. I love the aspect that the house can be changed with your mood. You can open the entire house to light or just one or two sides. And, of course, closing it up will keep the maintenance to a minimum. Love the concept!
So so brilliant would be nice to have one erected on my backward in UK.