"The cabin occupies a nearly half-acre parcel shaped by river movement, floodplain limits, and forest cover. The owner spent a decade camping on the site, returning seasonally and often with friends, developing a close familiarity with water levels and shifting sunlight. That extended period of use informed the placement and scale of the building, which sits back from the river edge and rises above the ground plane."
"The architects at Wittman Estes elevates its Wenatchee River Cabin ten feet above the ground due to the site's position within the river's floodplain. Six concrete columns support the structure, lifting the volume above seasonal water flow and ground moisture. The underside remains open, forming a sheltered zone beneath the cabin that accommodates parking and workspace. A vintage Bronco lives here, with enough clearance to allow mechanical work through winter months."
"Material selection centers on durability and exposure. Concrete and steel form the structural core, intended to weather over time. Architect Matt Wittman describes the approach simply: ' We wanted tough, durable materials that weather naturally.' The restrained palette reflects both environmental conditions and the owner's direct involvement in construction, which favored straightforward assemblies and legible detailing."
The Wenatchee River Cabin is a compact, one-bedroom home set among forested land above a bend in the Wenatchee River. The owner’s decade of seasonal camping on the site informed the placement, scale, and retreat from the river edge. The structure sits ten feet above grade on six concrete columns to address floodplain conditions, creating an open sheltered area beneath for parking and mechanical work. Concrete and steel form the durable structural core intended to weather naturally. Construction began prior to the pandemic, and the property transitioned from seasonal use to full-time residence once complete.
Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine
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