Two Sister Cabins on Two Ranches
Cabins in Eastern Washington
On two sister ranches rest two sister cabins blending in with the region’s vernacular architecture.
Tucked into the rolling hills of Eastern Washington, a pair of cabins detailed in durable, locally-sourced materials inside and out, are built-to-last with little maintenance in a remote location — underlining the importance of durability in sustainable design.
The modest cabins are designed to be place-specific, but with a design flexible enough that they each fit naturally into two different ranch properties. Both cabins create a connection between nature and structure, carrying the thread of regional architecture, history, and context through their forms, both structurally and aesthetically.
Careful architectural detailing highlights the materiality of exposed plywood paired with salvaged wood from a local barn dating back to the 1890s. Installed with special care and craftsmanship, the barnwood shares its history on its patinaed surface with all its scars, wear — and even lichen — left intact.
Despite their diminutive size and simplicity of form, the cabins are surprisingly spacious inside, with simple spaces forming welcoming, comfortable rooms for guests visiting in any season.
Rugged and Self-Sufficient
Tucked in by towering Ponderosa Pines, the rugged aesthetic of these cabins fits right in with the ranches they call home. Durable, efficient design with self-sufficiency in mind means these cabins will stand the test of time in the remote hills they call home. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Rugged and Self-Sufficient
Tucked in by towering Ponderosa Pines, the rugged aesthetic of these cabins fits right in with the ranches they call home. Durable, efficient design with self-sufficiency in mind means these cabins will stand the test of time in the remote hills they call home. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Reduced Environmental Footprint
Each cabin was built on previously developed land to reduce their environmental impact, especially important when building in remote locations. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Reduced Environmental Footprint
Each cabin was built on previously developed land to reduce their environmental impact, especially important when building in remote locations. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Deep Porches
Wide overhangs shelter open porches on each side of the cabins, with beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscape. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Deep Porches
Wide overhangs shelter open porches on each side of the cabins, with beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscape. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
In the summer, cooling cross-breezes pass through, and the deep porches offer cool shade; while in the winter, the hardy cabins stay toasty while shedding the heavy snowfall each winter brings.
Each cabin enjoys privacy, beautiful vistas of the land, and cozy spaces for relaxation, but the cabins are designed to be efficient, encouraging guests to gather at the main house, within easy walking distance.
To minimize the impact of the new cabins on the land, previously-developed locations were selected on each ranch. This reduced the number of trees that would have to be removed to accommodate the new construction, and simplified access to existing utilities, causing less disruption to the surrounding land.
In remote locations, being light on the land is important both for the longevity of the construction and for being an integral part of the place, rather than a blight upon it.
Just like that old barn — enduring longer than the human lives that constructed it — these cabins are built to last over the course of generations, providing shelter for the creation of new memories formed before a backdrop of salvaged barnwood that’s already borne witness to over a century of local history.
Wood Stove
Having a wood stove in any cabin is a no-brainer, and this simple, no-frills wood stove is centrally located with an exposed chimney pipe in order to distribute heat to the rest of the cabin as evenly and efficiently as possible. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Wood Stove
Having a wood stove in any cabin is a no-brainer, and this simple, no-frills wood stove is centrally located with an exposed chimney pipe in order to distribute heat to the rest of the cabin as evenly and efficiently as possible. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Reclaimed Barnwood
Salvaged wood from a local barn built in the 1890s was used for much of the interior, providing a rugged, vintage finish, and making local human history a centerpiece of the interior of the cabins. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Reclaimed Barnwood
Salvaged wood from a local barn built in the 1890s was used for much of the interior, providing a rugged, vintage finish, and making local human history a centerpiece of the interior of the cabins. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Simple, Functional Kitchen
The kitchen is straight-forward, yet with plenty of room, keeping with the focus on simple, functional spaces. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Simple, Functional Kitchen
The kitchen is straight-forward, yet with plenty of room, keeping with the focus on simple, functional spaces. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Peaked Ceilings
Peaked ceilings add drama to the otherwise quaint cabins, satisfying the innate human proclivity for airy overhead spaces. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Peaked Ceilings
Peaked ceilings add drama to the otherwise quaint cabins, satisfying the innate human proclivity for airy overhead spaces. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Built-In Reading Nook
Simple and true to the cabin’s aesthetic, this nook is great for an afternoon nap or curling up with a good book on a rainy day. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Built-In Reading Nook
Simple and true to the cabin’s aesthetic, this nook is great for an afternoon nap or curling up with a good book on a rainy day. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Simple Wood Finishes
Nearly everything in this cabin is made from wood, either locally sourced or reclaimed, meaning the environmental impact was kept to a minimum while staying true to the classic cabin aesthetic. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Simple Wood Finishes
Nearly everything in this cabin is made from wood, either locally sourced or reclaimed, meaning the environmental impact was kept to a minimum while staying true to the classic cabin aesthetic. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Quiet Spaces
Another built-in sitting space, this one centered on a window, allows the occupants to enjoy coffee and a book with their favorite Ponderosa just a few yards away. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Quiet Spaces
Another built-in sitting space, this one centered on a window, allows the occupants to enjoy coffee and a book with their favorite Ponderosa just a few yards away. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Plywood Finishes
Locally-sourced plywood finishes accent the salvaged barnwood dominating the center walls of the cabin. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Plywood Finishes
Locally-sourced plywood finishes accent the salvaged barnwood dominating the center walls of the cabin. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Custom Plywood Finished Door
The custom door in the bedroom is cut from the same plywood sheet as the wall around so the wood grain continues cleanly from wall to door and back. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Custom Plywood Finished Door
The custom door in the bedroom is cut from the same plywood sheet as the wall around so the wood grain continues cleanly from wall to door and back. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Daylight Aplenty
Rows of windows fill this bedroom, giving an outdoor feel to an indoor space, filling the cabin with daylight. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Daylight Aplenty
Rows of windows fill this bedroom, giving an outdoor feel to an indoor space, filling the cabin with daylight. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Meticulous Rustic
The no-frills, yet meticulously-detailed approach carries over into the bathroom, with wood finishes and sink hardware to match the kitchen — simple in form and beautiful in the hand. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Meticulous Rustic
The no-frills, yet meticulously-detailed approach carries over into the bathroom, with wood finishes and sink hardware to match the kitchen — simple in form and beautiful in the hand. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Green Tile Accent
Green tile walls in the showers break free of the wood-finishes filling the rest of the cabin, providing a unique change of pace in an intimate setting. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Green Tile Accent
Green tile walls in the showers break free of the wood-finishes filling the rest of the cabin, providing a unique change of pace in an intimate setting. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Walls with Character and History
The weathered grain of this salvaged barnwood holds secrets dating back more than a century. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Walls with Character and History
The weathered grain of this salvaged barnwood holds secrets dating back more than a century. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Durable Craftsmanship
The cabin lifestyle is not for the faint of heart, and the craftsmanship put into the bones of this structure will stand the test of time. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Durable Craftsmanship
The cabin lifestyle is not for the faint of heart, and the craftsmanship put into the bones of this structure will stand the test of time. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Exterior Wood Finishes
The wood finishes on the exterior of the cabin not only match the interior, but also blend nicely with the surrounding pine forest. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Exterior Wood Finishes
The wood finishes on the exterior of the cabin not only match the interior, but also blend nicely with the surrounding pine forest. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Strong Bones
Stout wood structure means this cabin will weather whatever storm Mother Nature throws its way. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Strong Bones
Stout wood structure means this cabin will weather whatever storm Mother Nature throws its way. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Intentional (Perfect) Imperfection
The imperfect, rough finish on raw edge posts celebrates the natural form of the wood — another example of the pairing of natural elements with the craft of the human hand that is built into the design of these structures. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Intentional (Perfect) Imperfection
The imperfect, rough finish on raw edge posts celebrates the natural form of the wood — another example of the pairing of natural elements with the craft of the human hand that is built into the design of these structures. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Understated Yet Classic
The understated design of these durable outdoor light fixtures lends a classic touch to the clean, functional design. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Understated Yet Classic
The understated design of these durable outdoor light fixtures lends a classic touch to the clean, functional design. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by John Granen.
Wild West Boardwalks
The porch floor may be concrete, but these porch breezeways call to mind the boardwalks of the Wild West. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Wild West Boardwalks
The porch floor may be concrete, but these porch breezeways call to mind the boardwalks of the Wild West. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Tina Witherspoon.
Living in Concert with Nature
Accessed only by foot or horseback, with minimal to no landscaping to conflict with the natural woodland, these cabins are truly in concert with nature. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Renée Roman.
Living in Concert with Nature
Accessed only by foot or horseback, with minimal to no landscaping to conflict with the natural woodland, these cabins are truly in concert with nature. Cabins in Eastern Washington | Photo by Renée Roman.
Notes & Credits
This project was built by Dowbuilt.
Interior design by Swivel Interiors.
Structural Engineering by CT Engineering, Inc.
Mechanical Engineering by Premier Mechanical & Electrical.
Mobile milling provided by Clover Construction.
Photos by John Granen and Tina Witherspoon.
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