A Modern Cliffside Home Floating Above the Forest | Orcas House

Описание: #floatinghouse #homedesign #architecture
A Modern Cliffside Home Floating Above the Forest | Orcas House

Perched dramatically above the rugged landscape of Orcas Island, Orcas House is a striking contemporary home designed by Leah Martin of Allied8 Architects. Suspended from a cliff edge and surrounded by dense forest, the house captures breathtaking views both to the north and south while maintaining a delicate relationship with the land.

Rather than dominating the natural terrain, the architecture was designed to touch the ground as lightly as possible. The home sits on a steel moment frame connected to the earth in only six locations, minimizing disturbance to the moss-covered ground, mature forest, and exposed bedrock. In fact, the actual footprint of the house occupies less than 100 square feet of land.

The exterior is clad in weathered Kebony wood, a material that gradually ages to resemble the bark of the surrounding trees, allowing the structure to blend naturally into the forest environment. Inside, the atmosphere shifts to a bright, minimalist interior defined by monochromatic tones, open spaces, and expansive views of nature.

The house measures approximately 1,386 square feet yet was carefully designed to accommodate large gatherings. The primary bedroom sleeps two, while the bunk room can host up to ten people. A suspended loft space—tall enough to stand comfortably—adds flexible sleeping or working space, and additional areas such as a daybed in the living room expand the home's capacity even further.

Sustainability played a central role in the design. Because cement production contributes significantly to global carbon emissions, the architects intentionally avoided conventional concrete foundations. Instead, they used 100% recycled steel sourced and manufactured in the United States, reducing the project's environmental footprint while maintaining structural strength.

At the heart of the house lies an open kitchen and dining area that anchors the social life of the home. Large sliding doors open outward to the surrounding forest and panoramic views, blurring the boundary between indoor living and the wild landscape outside.

Orcas House was never meant to be a fragile architectural object. Instead, it was conceived as a shared retreat—a place for family and friends to gather, explore nature, and experience the quiet beauty of the forest and cliffs that surround it.

Architects: allied8 - https://allied8.com/
Photography: Rafael Soldi - https://rafaelsoldi.com/
GC: AMA Construction - https://www.amaconstruction.net/
GC: C.A. Reed Construction - https://www.careedconstruction.com/
GeoTech: GeoTest - https://www.geotest-inc.com/
Siding: Kebony Character Dec... Character Shiplap by Kebony
Pendant lighting: Pilson Mini Pendant by Access Lighting
Windows and Doors: E Series by Anderson Roofing and Exteriors LLC
Counter: Caesarstone
Appliances-refrigerator, range: Fisher & Paykel
Rug, Chairs: IKEA
Location: Orcas Island, WA, USA
Project Year: 2023
Category: Private Houses

#OrcasHouse #modernarchitecture #cliffhouse #sustainablearchitecture #foresthouse #minimalistarchitecture #moderncabin #architecturedesign #housetour #architecturelovers