A Cantilever At One End Allows This Home To Project Over The Land

July 14, 2024
A modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.

Leah Martin, partner and founder of Allied8 Architects in Seattle, Washington, has shared photos of a modern Orcas Island home she designed for herself and her family.

A modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.

This small home, which cantilevers at one end, sits on the top of a ridge and is anchored to the bedrock in six places using a recycled US steel moment frame.

A modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.

A standing seam metal roof has been paired with vertical wood siding, blending the home into the surrounding landscape.

A modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.

Inside, there’s an open-plan living room, dining area, and kitchen. A built-in bench under the windows in the living room increases the seating options, while a door opens to the wood deck.

In this modern living room, a built-in bench under the windows increases the seating options.
A modern island house has doors that open to a deck.

The dining area features a wood table, while the kitchen includes grey cabinets and floating wood shelving that lines the wall.

An open-plan dining area and kitchen includes a wood dining table, while the kitchen includes grey cabinets and floating wood shelving that lines the wall.

Stairs tucked away in the hallway can be pulled out to provide access to the loft.

Stairs tucked away in the hallway can be pulled out to provide access to the loft.
Stairs tucked away in the hallway can be pulled out to provide access to the loft.

The open loft stretches half of the home, making the home feel much larger than it is.

A modern island home includes a large loft space for relaxing.

Back on the main floor, there are bedrooms with large windows framing the views, some with doors leading to small balconies, and a bunk room with built-in storage.

A modern bedroom with a large picture window to frame the free views.
A modern bedroom that opens to a private balcony.
A modern bunk room with built-in beds and storage.

In each bathroom, vertical windows frame the tree views and add natural light to the interior.

A modern bathroom with a vertical window in the shower.
A modern bathroom with a vertical window in the shower.

Here’s a look at some behind-the-scenes photos of the construction process.

Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Construction photos of a modern island home with a cantilevered design, wood siding, and a standing seam metal roof.
Photography by Rafael Soldi