Bird Preserve Cabin
Along the shores of the Pend Oreille River in remote northeast Washington, this cabin rests beside a nature preserve alive with nesting birds. For the retired couple who have long held the property in their family, the goal was to replace a failing structure with a new home resilient to flooding, oriented to the landscape, and designed to welcome large family gatherings.
The three-level cabin rises on a cast-in-place, board-formed concrete foundation, lifting living spaces above the floodplain while creating sheltered parking and seasonal storage below. The second level contains the master suite and main living area, while two compact bedrooms and a bath are tucked into the level above. The master suite shifts toward the riverfront, carving out privacy from the active deck and living spaces while enhancing framed views of the water and preserve.
Given the site’s isolation and condensed construction schedule, the design team turned to cross-laminated timber. The prefabricated system allowed for efficient assembly while providing a warm, durable interior suited to the rhythms of family life. The result is a cabin both resilient and inviting — rooted in place, open to the landscape, and ready for generations to come.
Details
- Project
- Trek Architecture™
- Year
- 2022
- Status
- Completed
- Photography
- Tony
