Project of the Week – Gulf Island Cabins

Architect: Osburn/Clarke
Photo: Nic Lehoux

Lucky is the extended family members who get invited to this Gulf Island getaway! That’s because there are four perfectly private guest cottages surrounding the main summer retreat. While each one is a different configuration, all four of these sun-lit sanctuaries have the same footprint, offer equally stunning views and evoke very similar forest reveries – especially for the project’s partner Mark Osburn.

“They’re not homes, per se, but little Cabins in the bush,” says the Vancouver-based architect. “I think of being lost, scrambling though the woods at night, then seeing these little refuges, glowing in the dark …… like paradise found.”

A big part of what makes them so dreamy is the use of naturally beautiful materials such as Western Red Cedar, which was used as the exterior finish material, both for the siding and the external shutters. “Cedar smells so nice, it’s light, but strong and it plays back to the forest,” says Osburn, referring to the virtues of WRC. “It’s texture and color are beautiful and it only looks and behaves better with age.”He also appreciates the fact that WRC is harvested from ethically managed timber sources he can trust.

“I know where to find it, I know who takes it from the bush and makes it into something I’m happy to use,” he says before adding, “and with care, it lasts forever…”