San Juan Islands Residence

Located on a remote island in Washington’s San Juan archipelago, this residence occupies the footprint of a previous home to minimize site disturbance while maximizing engagement with spectacular water views on three sides. Arrival is oriented to the west-facing dock, where the main living areas overlook the harbor, while three bedrooms on the east side offer more intimate views of a sheltered cove. The 2,900 sq. ft. home is designed as a series of interwoven spaces that respond directly to the topography, circulation, and outlooks of the site.

Wood is central to the project’s expression, used to order, structure, and warm the living environment. The main living space is conceived as a cedar-paneled pavilion, defined by a rhythm of Douglas fir timber frames and shou sugi ban–clad niches that create a sequence of spaces, each oriented to its own distinct view. Throughout, Western Red Cedar’s natural warmth enhances the pavilion’s spatial clarity and its dialogue with the surrounding forest.

On the exterior, weathered cedar siding is combined with tinted concrete and dark metal roofing to echo the tones of the rocky shoreline and tree canopy. Random-width cedar boards, asymmetric gable forms, and gridded windows lend the home a vernacular connection to the island’s history of habitation, while careful detailing emphasizes its contemporary character.

By blending material authenticity with precise craftsmanship, the residence engages its remarkable site with quiet confidence, creating a home that feels both rooted and refined.