The Miller Hull Partnership has completed an innovative 868-square-foot cabin on Decatur Island in Washington state, demonstrating what the architecture firm calls "embracing levitation" as a sustainable building strategy. The Trestle Cabin, finished in 2024, serves as a prototype for low-impact vacation homes on challenging and remote sites, emphasizing minimal environmental interference through its elevated steel structure.
Located 70 miles north of Seattle on a remote island in the Salish Sea, the cabin sits on a steep hillside that offers panoramic views of the San Juan Islands to the south. The site is positioned at the edge of a fir and madrone forest, where wild sheep graze naturally on the slopes. Rather than excavating the land, the architects chose to raise the entire structure on steel columns that echo the verticality of the surrounding forest canopy.
"The project embraces levitation rather than excavation as a general strategy," the studio explained. "A rhythmic steel exoskeleton negotiates the sloping topography while establishing an occupiable plane hovering above the ground." This approach preserves the natural slope, existing flora and fauna, and maintains the ecosystem's integrity while creating a functional living space.
The design philosophy draws inspiration from three core principles: minimal interference to the land, adaptability, and reduced consumption. The Miller Hull Partnership, which maintains offices in Seattle and San Diego, borrowed concepts from 1960s Metabolist architecture, particularly its emphasis on superstructure and internal modules that can be adapted over time to meet changing needs.
"Recognizing the immense investment and environmental impact of remote development, the strategy employs long-term thinking, allowing the structure to remain relevant across many generations and owners," the studio stated. The wood-framed thermal enclosures are designed to be independent of what they describe as a "200-year superstructure," enabling future reconfiguration as requirements change.
With vertical supports pushed to the perimeter of the rectangular building, the interior space floats within the structural plane, creating a series of balconies and porches around the living areas. Currently, the modular components are separated into distinct zones: sleeping and social spaces with two ensuite bathrooms positioned at the western end of the platform, and a combined living, dining, and kitchen module tucked into the northeastern corner.
All movement between spaces occurs through exterior walkways, a design choice that reduces the interior conditioned space while establishing a strong connection with the natural environment. An expansive overhang on the south side moderates midday sun exposure while providing year-round weather protection for outdoor living areas. The cabin's energy needs are offset by a small photovoltaic solar array that can be expanded if necessary.
The interior design contrasts sharply with the dark-colored exterior, featuring warm wood-wrapped surfaces that remain minimal and neutral in tone. This approach frames outward views to the surrounding landscape, particularly highlighting the striking red bark of the native madrone trees. Stainless steel accents in the kitchen area provide contemporary highlights against the exposed interior wood cladding.
A delicate metal balcony runs along the edge of the deck, offering safety protection without obstructing the spectacular views of the island landscape. The exterior pathway system connects the cabin's two separate volumes while maintaining the structure's modular flexibility for future adaptations.
Founded in 1977 by former Peace Corps members David Miller and Robert Hull, the Miller Hull Partnership specializes in environmentally sensitive projects that prioritize reducing human impact on natural settings. The firm's previous notable works include the US consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico, featuring a massive shading canopy, a University of Washington building wrapped with textural metal skin, and the US embassy in Guatemala City, which drew architectural inspiration from ancient Mayan design principles.
The Trestle Cabin project involved collaboration with several specialists: Swenson Say Faget served as structural engineers, Kas Kinkead handled landscape architecture, Stratum Group provided geotechnical engineering expertise, and Kaplan Homes Unlimited acted as the general contractor. Photography of the completed project was captured by Juan Benavides, showcasing the cabin's integration with its dramatic island setting.
