pbw architects sets modern industrial cabin in washington

Wooden cabin sits at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains

Perched atop a steep river bank, the Chewuch Cabin by Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects embraces north-central Washington‘s rugged beauty. A high, linear roof gestures emphatically toward the river and foothills beyond, forming a primary axis. A low, rectilinear form intersects, creating a distinctive cruciform plan that informs the design of this small home clad in wood siding and dark bronze. The high-ceilinged volume contains internal kitchen, living, and dining spaces as well as a separate, single-car garage and an intervening outdoor room. The lower-roofed volume contains bedroom, utility, and office spaces.

all images by Eirik Johnson unless stated otherwise

Materiality defines the intersecting forms of Chewuch cabin

Material choices distinguish the intersecting forms. The primary axis, clad in a combination of distressed wood siding and dark bronze composite, uses exposed glulam beams with tapered ends to accentuate its directionality, culminating in a glass-walled living room overlooking the river. The low-lying bedroom wings are clad in pre-weathered corrugated steel, with strategically placed windows and doors framing views. At the interior, low ceilings are finished with plywood, while high ceilings continue the exposed beams and decking of the exterior soffits. Concrete floors, plywood walls and ceilings, and dark steel backsplashes at the interior give the cabin an industrial edge. At the center of the cruciform plan, Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects sets the kitchen, much of which is freestanding, allowing circulation to flow through and around it. Dark, leathered granite countertops give a crispness to salvaged wood cabinets, which are cleverly positioned to create a room divider and storage at the living room.

roof overhangs provide extra shelter from sun and snow

The home is thoughtfully sited, with passive solar strategies in mind. With only one mature tree on the site, shaded areas are a design priority. Above the outdoor room, exposed glulam beams support retractable awnings, maximizing flexibility and providing additional shade and cooling to the rest of the home. Overhangs help mitigate intense summer sun and protect walkways from winter snow. The high eave extends out to shade the riverside deck off the living room and an extended rake shelters the walkway to the home’s entrance.

large multi-slide doors on either side of the main living space offer natural ventilation

Chewuch River is a robust, industrial cabin built to withstand extreme weather | image by Kes Efstathiou

sturdy pre-weathered corrugated steel wraps the bedroom wings on the exterior | image by Kes Efstathiou

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exposed beams and decking in the high ceiling interior spaces match those of the exterior soffits

a single volume with two islands contains the open plan living, kitchen, and dining areas

dark granite countertops and steel backsplash stand in contrast to lighter wood tones

plywood ceilings give coziness and warmth to the shorter-height private spaces

project info:

name: Chewuch River
architect: Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Architects | @pbwarchitects

location: Washington, US

photography: Eirik Johnson | @orcawatch – Kes Efstathiou | @kes_efs

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom