Guemes Island Cabin

Location: Guemes Island, WA

Design Goals: After years of vacationing on Guemes Island, the owners envisioned creating a modern cabin that would serve as a peaceful retreat overlooking the Samish Bay. The goal was to design a simple yet refined one-story home with a daylight basement and attached two-car garage—an understated form that responds to the natural slope of the lot while capturing expansive water views. A primary objective of the project was to achieve exceptional energy performance through high-quality construction methods and materials. The home was designed with a high-performance building envelope to ensure year-round comfort with minimal energy use for heating and cooling. The double shed roof is constructed using Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) with exposed wood beams, combining performance with clean architectural articulation. Standard framed walls are wrapped in a continuous layer of exterior Gutex wood fiber insulation to reduce thermal bridging, and the foundation utilizes Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) for added efficiency and durability. The design also emphasizes durability and livability. Polished concrete floors were selected for their low maintenance and resilience—ideal for the owners’ two Great Danes. A large kitchen anchors the home for gathering and entertaining, while a 45-foot lift-and-slide door stretches across the great room, opening seamlessly to a spacious deck and framing sweeping views of the Puget Sound. A central fireplace further grounds the space, creating a warm and inviting modern cabin retreat.

Style: Modern Coastal

Design Challenges + Site Constraints: The sloping site presented both opportunities and complexities that directly informed the design approach. The grade change from the street to the house location required careful planning of the driveway to ensure safe, practical access while minimizing site disturbance. The natural slope also made a daylight basement a logical solution, allowing the lower level to open to the landscape while maintaining views from both floors. To fully capitalize on the views, the home was oriented to frame views with expansive walls of windows and large glass doors, strengthening the connection to the outdoors. At the same time, the building’s placement and rooflines were strategically considered to optimize solar orientation and preserve the opportunity for future photovoltaic installation, balancing immediate views with long-term energy performance goals.

Team:
+ Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design
+ Interior Design: Karlee Coble Interiors
+ Built by: Carlisle Classic Homes
+ Photography: Chad Coleman Photography