m|w works nestles black cedar cabin within a washington state forest

overlooking the thick forests and hood canal of washington state, ‘the little house’ by seattle-based firm m|w works architecture is a compact and contemporary cabin that takes advantage of its scenic surroundings.

the new property sits over an existing foundation and measures just over 20 square feet. adopting a simple, cubic form, the external structure is wrapped in taut oxidized black cedar with blackened cement infill panels

access into the retreat is marked by a canopy which frames views of the canal below. in contrast to the blackened envelope, the interiors use lightly painted panels and soft pine plywood. spread across two levels, the interior is composed of a living room / kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. meanwhile, a patio area – an extension of the entryway – enables the inhabitants to sit outside and serves as a starting point to the trail wandering down to the water’s edge.

‘the resulting project hopes to capture the essence of the modern cabin – small in size but much larger than its boundaries.’ – m|w works architecture

 

early design discussions focused on creating a compact, modern structure that is both simple and efficient

 

the intimate lounge area features a large corner window that frames the forest landscape

 

the resulting scheme hopes to capture the essence of the contemporary cabin

 

a patio area placed slightly lower than the home to forms a peaceful area of contemplation

 

the bathroom