An Architect Constructs a Plywood Hideaway for Her Family for $538K

This woodsy retreat’s island site in British Columbia meant working with mostly local builders and materials.

An Architect Constructs a Plywood Hideaway for Her Family for $538K

This woodsy retreat’s island site in British Columbia meant working with mostly local builders and materials.

One big budget-saver was eliminating the drywall crew and just embracing the raw plywood finish (plus a light stain).

For architect Helen Pang and her family, Canada's Salt Spring Island represents more than a forested getaway—its history is as cherished as its natural splendor. A part of the Gulf Islands, located between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island, Salt Spring has a history that goes back thousands of years. It was first inhabited by First Nations people, who processed shellfish on its shores, leaving behind particles of shells that have eroded over time into a beautiful, pearlescent beach. Later, the island welcomed African Americans leaving California in the 1800s after discriminatory legislation was passed in the state. Diversity and respect for the land are intrinsic parts of life here.

The cedar exterior of the building was pre-stained by a local supplier. The charcoal hue helps it disappear visually into the forest, and contrasts with the light and warm interior.

So when her parents bought the property as a legacy piece—a gathering place for their three kids and handful of active grandkids—Pang knew that making as little a mark on the land as possible would be a top priority as she built her family’s communal cabin. "We felt honored to be able to respect the history here," says Pang. "These grounds are very important." 

Wire mesh was sandwich-framed between wood planks to create a modern-looking railing from simple materials—the result of a collaborative brainstorm with the local carpenter.

As the family’s resident architect, Pang was given full autonomy over the project, after the three generations talked over their dreams for the space. Her husband, Ian Boyle, happens to be a structural engineer and pitched in his services too. 

$96,900
Contractor Expenses
$29,290
Site Works
$53,520
Site Servicing
$25,950
Foundations
$61,000
Framing & Steel
$23,000
Windows & Exterior Doors
$18,550
Roofing & Insulation
$23,680
Plumbing
$7,300
Emergency Generator
$4,500
HVAC
$23,800
Electrical & Lighting
$10,930
Interior Painting
$33,800
Plywood Walls & Finish Carpentry
$23,200
Cabinetry & Millwork
$21,100
Tile, Flooring, & Countertops
$36,100
Exterior Decks
$45,800
Exterior Cladding & Insulation

Grand Total: $538,420


Instead of digging or excavating, Pang and Boyle concocted a structure to lift the building up over the ground. At a glance, the humble black box and its pine porch appear to be floating over a bed of ferns. "It’s almost like a treehouse," says Pang. 

All the furniture here was either hand-me-downs or sourced from Craiglist.

See the full story on Dwell.com: An Architect Constructs a Plywood Hideaway for Her Family for $538K