Designing the Modern House: Luxury Dream Cabin on the West Coast

Evolution of Residential Design

Have you ever dreamed of your own modern, mountainside cabin with a view to the ocean?

The process of luxury cabin design begins before anything is drawn as I explain in my article "Your Architect Needs To Do These FOUR Things Before Drawing ANYTHING", but inspiration is a powerful drug that can motivate you and help you establish what your direction will be - what you like. As a modern house architect, I can use advanced visualization software to explore a variety of ideas without spending much time on particulars.

The intent of this exercise is not to create a specific design; the conceptual images are not tied - nor necessarily well-suited - to any particular context illustrated. Some images may show some unresolved software artifacts, but each is a "loose sketch" of a sort to generate a look and feel.

Let's begin with a fairly conventional form. West Coast architecture has always used wood as a fundamental ingredient, expressed as cladding, structure, or both.

Let's try a flat roof instead, for a contemporary look.

Here is a large house with a not-overly complex form, perched near the shore.

Perhaps we're considering a property that's less exposed - set back into the woods.

Understanding and integrating the West Coast's scenery is key to truly connecting with its rich culture. The region's awe-inspiring natural landscapes are a fundamental part of my design ethos, where the use of native trees helps preserve the area's genuine character. These trees strike a balance, echoing the deep relationship between the land and its inhabitants.

Urban landscaping also plays a significant role, injecting life into city spaces with West Coast signatures. It's about creating environments that are both inviting and reflective of the area's innovative spirit. Embracing this blend of natural and urban aesthetics allows me to design spaces that resonate with the West Coast's welcoming essence and its lifestyle, where the tranquility of nature meets the energy of the city.

Pushing the concept of modernity, we can imagine flat-roof structures that have less of a traditional residential feel than houses with a sloped roof.

This concept uses concrete to echo the angular, hard edges of young mountains.

This modern house is a fairly efficient form.

Articulating the building form but combining it with vegetated roofs, we end up with something more akin to a rocky outcropping common to the foothills of a mountain range.

Switching to a dense forest surrounding, I'm exploring some simple pitched-roof concepts that wrap the roof down the wall to provide shade.

Are you inspired to build your own dream cabin in the woods of British Columbia's West Coast (or anywhere else in the province, really)? Perhaps you're considering a net zero home to weather the extreme weather in Canada.

Daniel Clarke Architect is dedicated to refining your living spaces with an eye for exceptional performance and sustainability. Begin with a Diagnostic Session™, where your needs shape our conversation. From there, I'll lay out a clear path forward, utilizing the SAPPHR Strategy, a plan crafted to your specific requirements. Reach out to explore how we can elevate your home's design together. Leverage the benefits of a modern house architect and book a free Diagnostic Session™ during which I can explain the first steps to take.

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If you want to see a list of some real projects I've worked on in the past, please CLICK HERE to visit the portfolio page.