Deck

The house is balanced atop a rocky slope. “Not one millimeter of rock was blasted away,” says Rickard, who deferred to the topography in his design.

Nestled among the pines, the cabin twinkles at night.

The shed, accessed via new exterior walkway, received new windows and new matte black corrugated metal roofing. The quaint accessory structure is now a guest sleeping space and flexible yoga room.

Eames chairs surround the live-edge dining table on a terrace.

“Buildings pay homage to mid-century design principles and depart from traditional beach house typologies to focus on emphasising the site’s remote, complex and ephemeral qualities,” says Elsley.

Architectural designer Grey Shaeffer of Willa Work designed a petite backyard guesthouse at her Portland, Oregon, home for occasions when her mom comes to visit. The siding and decking are a fused bamboo product from Dasso XTR, in classic espresso.

An energy-efficient TPO membrane covers the living room’s zigzag roof.

The family enjoys the outdoor lounge.

The roof deck, anchored by a gas fire pit from Paloform, boasts an incredible view of the water.

The entryway had to be reconfigured to accommodate the new lower level and its deck, while the existing upper deck was given shade from the sun.

Outside, the outdoor patio is designed for dining al fresco and taking in the tranquility of the British countryside.

"We love that our multipurpose space can act as a venue for productivity and collaboration in The Loft, while The House invites rest, relaxation, and connection as guests unplug at a quiet retreat in the woods," says Tarah. "The cherry on top is that we can do this from our own backyard, with our kids playing a special role in maintaining the property and hosting guests alongside us."

The main entrance to the property is on the lower level and leads directly to the living area of The House. The entrance is marked by a vintage rug, and the timber walkway shares the same material as the upper level deck that extends out from The Loft.

"Hosting this way kind of forces you out on the limb of human trust, and it’s always amazing to me to see how others receive what we are giving, with such kindness and respect," says Tarah. "One of our favorite quotes came from a guest who said, ‘Is it possible to be homesick for an Airbnb?’ That sentiment was so sweet to us, and has rung true for so many other guests as they have commented on the warmth and welcome they have felt while staying at The Lofthouse."

One of the key features of The Loft is the glazing. The large black windows and the sliding door infuse the space with natural light and create a seamless indoor/outdoor flow. "Our 16-foot sliding doors helped us incorporate the surrounding forest as a focal point," says Tarah. "Clients feel like they are working in a place uniquely connected to the natural world."

California pepper trees, grasses, and sage are low-maintenance, low-water plants that also are low-allergen.

This modest agricultural language was further developed through the use of raw timbers and galvanized steel

Abutting a costal reserve, the property has uninterrupted views of the Snowy River and surrounding wetlands

Unlike other composite decking materials, TimberTech products look like real wood without a fake, plastic sheen—and unlike real wood, they resist fading, splintering, and staining.