False Bay Writer’s Cabin

The False Bay Writer’s Cabin is a private retreat and a guest house on Washington’s San Juan Islands. Designed by Olson Kundig Architects, the small getaway focuses on the surrounding environment. The glass walls and sliding doors encourage the writer to draw inspiration from nature, and the three decks help further connect the interior and exterior spaces. Inside, one can relax in the cabin, which is fully outfitted with a bathroom and a kitchenette. The flooring shines in blackened steel, and the handsome fireplace rotates a full 180 degrees so that it can warm the main room or the porch campsite. Outside, the inverted hip roof provides a partial shield against the elements, protecting the owner’s kayak rack. Additionally, when the building is not in use, the decks can be raised to seal everything within a weatherproof layer (photography by Tim Bies).