Off-Grid Cabin Design

This remote Writer’s Retreat fosters the focus required for creative endeavors.

“Cedar brings the experience of nature inside the Retreat.” – Laura Killam, AIBC

ARCHITECT Laura Killam Architecture

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Miskimmin Structural Engineering

GENERAL CONTRACTOR Rising Sun Custom Homes

PHOTOGRAPHY Andrew Latreille

Tucked into the rugged beauty of a remote off-grid island in the Salish Sea, the 650-squarefoot Writer’s Retreat by Laura Killam Architecture (LKA) is a masterclass in understated design. A serene sanctuary for focused writing sessions, the Retreat was carefully positioned to capture the shifting quality of light throughout the day, offering a distinct experience from the main family compound below.

It’s also a testament to sustainable design. Elevated on pier foundations to minimize site disturbance, the structure lightly touches the landscape, preserving the delicate ecosystem beneath. Thoughtfully integrating environmental responsibility with architectural intent, the Retreat embraces passive design strategies—deep overhangs for shading, cross-ventilation for cooling, and a well-insulated envelope for warmth.

Sustainable Design Inside & Out 

As a LEED AP, Killam is committed to green building, and materials like Western Red Cedar are central to both her environmental and aesthetic goals. The flexibility of cedar allows her to craft structures that are both resilient and refined, seamlessly blending into their natural surroundings.

For the retreat’s exterior, she selected Real Cedar board-and-batten siding with a subtle grey stain, paired with a cedar shingle roof. This choice allows the cabin to visually recede into the landscape, creating a quiet, organic presence within its coastal setting. She also selected Real Cedar for the louvered outdoor shower screen to provide privacy while maintaining airflow and a seamless connection to the natural surroundings.

Customized Connection to Nature

Inside, clear cedar paneling envelops the walls in every room and was also used for all the built-in millwork and custom furniture, reinforcing a cohesive, immersive material palette. Every detail reflects a thoughtful approach to craftsmanship: the kitchen cabinets, built-in couches, closet doors in the bedroom, shelves in the entry hallway, and bathroom vanity are all crafted from clear cedar.

“Cedar is incredibly rich while being totally simple, natural and understated at the same time,” says Killam, who is no stranger to designing with cedar. “I keep going back to cedar for all my projects – it’s a material I just love to use.”

Material Selection: Real Cedar Cedar Specs

• GRADE Siding – KD Select Knotty Paneling – KD ‘A’ clear
• SIZE Siding -1×10 boards, 1×3 battens, Paneling 1×6 fineline T&G
• FASTENING Stainless steel
• FINISH Siding – Semitransparent stain (grey) Paneling – none