David Coleman Draws from Surrounding Cascade Mountains for Modern "Bear Run Cabin"

Seattle-based firm David Coleman Architecture has completed a residential house in Marblemount, Washington surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Cascade Mountains. Dubbed the Bear Run Cabin, the building is both present and subservient to the wild landscape — a thematic duality that informs the rest of the design.

In order to preserve the rugged landscape, the architecture firm limited the home’s footprint to a 30 foot by 100 foot rectangle. Two buildings sit side-by-side within the space, meeting in a “rain garden” — a place where seasonal rains gather and flow toward the rive below. The 890-square-foot cabin features a sleeping loft with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a large living room and a bathroom. Each room faces striking mountain views, bringing the outdoors into the cozy cabin space.

Situated next to the cabin is a 1,000 square foot studio that houses a music room, workshop and guest loft. The walls, made of polycarbonate skin, allow plenty of natural light inside during the day. Both building forms are elemental and angular, referencing the mountain landscape. The result is a a deceptively simple structure that highlights the natural surroundings with a crisp and modern twist.

Take a closer look at the Bear Run Cabin in the images above. To check out more projects from the firm, head over to David Coleman Architecture’s website.

For more in design, Michael Hennessey Architecture has challenged conventional building strategies in San Francisco with a modern two-unit townhouse.