Contemporary Family Home In The Woods Blends Into Its Natural Surroundings

The Bowen Island House is a calm, yearround retreat for a couple with young children seeking refuge from their busy professional lives. Nestled along the dramatic north shore of Bowen Island in BC, this contemporary cabin in the woods offers the basic pleasures of a contemporary home with deep connections to nature and a light environmental impact. The rugged 8acre site sits secluded along the northern coast of the island, marked by lush temperate rain forest and the rich undergrowth of fern, salal, and lichencovered outcrops. The procession from city to site is one of gradual unwinding; first the short ferry sailing to the island harbour, then passing through dense evergreen forest, descending through the steep topography, then arriving at a natural meadow where filtered views and sounds of the sea reveal the stunning beauty of Howe Sound. Despite this breathtaking beauty, this landscape is increasingly vulnerable to development. Overscaled homes have become commonplace, dominating the cont