Staggered Cabin

Situated at an elevation of over 6000’ (1800 m), Staggered Cabin deploys shed-roofed volumes to integrate onto a sloping site where South Lake Tahoe meets the foot of the mountains beyond. As the dark stained cedar-clad volumes shift and step down the alpine slope, they create compact exterior courtyards that celebrate some of the small site’s natural resources: boulders, massive Jeffrey Pines, and a level patch of ground that enjoys abundant sunlight. Inside, the 1400 square foot cabin efficiently distributes sleeping quarters about a central living and dining space that opens to the outdoors on either side. Finished in plywood, the cabin takes advantage of its steeply pitched shed-roof geometry to capture additional mezzanine spaces, maximizing functionality while maintaining a gentle approach to the site. Large openings frame views up into the trees or out onto the immediate contex… Located down a short path from the Kailua beach on the eastern shore of Oahu, this house has peekaboo views of the Pacific Ocean and the Mokulua Islands off Lanikai. Despite its proximity to the beach, the surrounding neighborhood is fairly dense, which created a desire to focus the house inward to the lush jungle landscape and celebrate the island mana of Hawaii. The house, a simple two story bar structure with a central stair leading from the main living area to the bedrooms, is adjoined by a grass-roofed lanai structure. At the center of the lanai and directly adjacent to the living space is a linear pool. The roof of the lanai opens in a half-circular void to bring sun and warmth to the pool while also providing a respite from the Hawaiian sun and frequent tropical rains. The lanai is perched upon four separate volumes containing an outdoor bathroom, office, outdoor kitchen, and a… The cabin is situated in a clearing in the forest, positioning itself in between the trees. The volume is supported by columns to spare the ground and adjust to the sloping landscape of the site. A large rock serves as a natural starting point for the bridge leading to the entrance of the cabin. The bridge continues between the trees, creating a place to experience the forest at a higher elevation. The design of the cabin is inspired by local traditional building practices, particularly drawing inspiration from storehouses (stabbur) and lofts. Exterior walls, doors, and windows are planned in wood, treated with "tjære" to create the dark silhouette of the cabin in the deep forest. When the forest is green, the cabin blends in among the trees. During winter the cabin, along with the dark tree trunks, stands as a contrast to the white snow. The inside is planned in light wood creating a… Set amid mature redwood and oak trees on a steep hillside, this dual-purpose pavilion blends wellness and entertainment in a flexible retreat connected to an existing multigenerational home. Designed to weave through and preserve the tree canopy, it provides meditative spa-like space for yoga, fitness, and contemplation, as well as areas for social gatherings. A fitness room, sauna, bathroom, and adaptable entertainment/yoga space are linked to the 1970s home by a glass bridge. Elevated on slender columns, the pavilion forms a three-sided courtyard and features a cedar-clad core, operable doors, and skylit cedar framing that brings dappled, forest-like light inside. This renovation of a Roger Lee-designed home in Berkeley extends the original concepts of the midcentury structure while updating the space for modern living. The surgical removal of small sections of walls enhances spatial flow and indoor-outdoor connectivity, while functional elements are concealed within meticulously crafted cabinetry and wood-veneered walls. To create a small guesthouse and rental unit on a steep hillside property in Marin County, we repurposed the foundation from an old garage and built an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on its footprint. The building’s angled roofline mirrors the slope of the si