founding partner at olson kundig, jim olson’s cabin at longbranch, washington, has morphed throughout the past few decades from a small bunkhouse into a modest, yet highly livable private retreat. situated between the towering fir trees of the forest, the residence coexists with the surrounding nature through a muted color and material palette, and engages in a constant conversation with it through strategically placed sliding doors, windows, and a domed skylight over the bedroom.

jim olson's remodeled longbranch cabin exists in constant transformationphotos by kevin scott and benjamin benschneider

 

 

olson first built the cabin almost 60 years ago, while its appearance today is the result of a series of remodels that highlight the structure’s architectural history rather than erasing it. the weekend retreat has been developed using simple, readily available materials, such as plywood to frame the walls inside and out, steel columns to support the glulam beams, which support an exposed roof structure, and fir flooring on the interior that transforms into outdoor decking.

jim olson's remodeled longbranch cabin exists in constant transformation

 

 

the structure incorporates three mature trees that grow through openings in the deck, while one of the three exits through an opening in the roof. large openings visually blend the interiors and exteriors, such as a large window in the living room, which frames views towards the adjoining meadow and the reflective waters of the nearby puget sound. unified by the exposed roof, the two box-shaped rooms that essentially make the cabin create a single form that is grounded onto the hillside.

jim olson's remodeled longbranch cabin exists in constant transformation

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: cabin at longbranch

location:  longbranch, washington

architecture firm: olson kundig

design principal: jim olson

project manager: ellen cecil, william franklin

interior designer: charlie hellstern

staff: derek santo

sofia lekka angelopoulou I designboom
nov 02, 2018

  • Both beautiful and awkwardly uncomfortable

    Leonardo Sideri says:
    Nov 02, 2018
    Reply

  • Usually i don t go for «  modern » but that house is out of that kind of thinking…Please send me a couple of houses like that one with the forest, the lake and the green…
    That is such a cleaver and beautiful….. creation

    Claire Fauvel says:
    Nov 02, 2018
    Reply

have something to add? share your thoughts in our comments section below.

comments policy
LOG IN
designboom's comment policy guidelines
generally speaking, if we publish something, it's because we're genuinely interested in the subject. we hope you'll share this interest and if you know even more about it, please share! our goal in the discussion threads is to have good conversation and we prefer constructive opinions. we and our readers have fun with entertaining ones. designboom welcomes alerts about typos, incorrect names, and the like.
the correction is at the discretion of the post editor and may not happen immediately.

what if you disagree with what we or another commenter has to say?
let's hear it! but please understand that offensive, inappropriate, or just plain annoying comments may be deleted or shortened.

- please do not make racist, sexist, anti-semitic, homophobic or otherwise offensive comments.
- please don't personally insult the writers or your fellow commenters.
- please avoid using offensive words, replacing a few letters with asterisks is not a valid workaround.
- please don't include your website or e-mail address in your comments for the purpose of self-promotion.
- please respect jury verdicts and do not discuss offensively on the competition results
(there is only one fist prize, and designboom usually asks renown professionals to help us to promote talent.
in addition to the awarded designs, we do feel that almost all deserve our attention, that is why we publish
the best 100-200 entries too.)

a link is allowed in comments as long as they add value in the form of information, images, humor, etc. (links to the front page of your personal blog or website are not okay). unwelcome links (to commercial products or services of others, offensive material etc. ) will be redacted. and, ... yes, spam gets banned. no, we do not post fake comments.

forgot password

(654 articles)

(19 articles)

(233 articles)

PRODUCT LIBRARY

a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.

architecture news

cadaval & solà-morales builds a stone pool house with a courtyard that opens up to the sky cadaval & solà-morales builds a stone pool house with a courtyard that opens up to the sky
jan 15, 2019

cadaval & solà-morales builds a stone pool house with a courtyard that opens up to the sky

#architecture

although through its form and materiality the structure exists in permanent dialog with the site's main dwelling, it also seeks to create a 'world of its own.'

although through its form and materiality the structure exists in permanent dialog with the site's main dwelling, it also seeks to create a 'world of its own.'

#architecture
this studio of rhythmic brickwork was completed for a renowned mexican photographer this studio of rhythmic brickwork was completed for a renowned mexican photographer
jan 13, 2019

this studio of rhythmic brickwork was completed for a renowned mexican photographer

#architecture

mexico-based architects mauricio rocha and gabriela carrillo sought for the graciela iturbide studio to demonstrate a repetitive and almost obsessive use of a »

mexico-based architects mauricio rocha and gabriela carrillo sought for the graciela iturbide studio to demonstrate a repetitive and almost obsessive use of a singular material.

#architecture

all architecture news