The Deer Harbor Residence, set on the west side of Orcas Island in Washington, transformed an existing house, guest house, studio, and garage into a refined island retreat. The new design reimagines how the owners experience the site, strengthening connections to light, water, and the surrounding forest.  

The heart of the project is a modern architectural incision through the center of the house. This incision reshapes the entry, introduces a sheltered porch, and lifts into a perched deck with panoramic views of the San Juan Islands. The new home retains its original layered hip roofs, though they now are accentuated by vertical window divisions and a modern palette of thermally modified wood and cementitious siding.  

Glass walls allowed layered views of the water, treetops, and surrounding gardens. Large sliding doors blur the boundary between interior and exterior and extend the living space to a deck and pool terrace. A palette of white oak and mild steel adds warmth and clarity to the home while a high-performance envelope, geothermal system, and rooftop solar array ensure year-round energy efficiency.