In 1959, when Jim Olson of the celebrated Seattle firm Olson Kundig was 18 years old and a first-year architecture student, his father gave him $500 and told him to go build a bunkhouse. Choosing the same forested land as his grandparents' summer cottage in the Puget Sound, young Olson embarked on his first project. Sadly, his grandparents' cottage was destroyed by a fire in the 1960s, but Olson's bunkhouse has remained. What began as a 200-square-foot structure has slowly evolved over the years with each remodel integrating the previous iteration instead of erasing it.

A continual work in progress, each renovation has addressed the changing priorities of its designer: first, the structure was a bunkhouse for his friends; then, an experimental weekend retreat for a young family; and now, a quiet getaway that can accommodate both the architect's creative work and visits from his grandchildren, extended family, and friends. The Cabin in Longbranch and its transformation has become a documentation of the architect's illustrious career—what has remained unchanged over the years, however, is Olson’s deep reverence for the special site and its natural beauty.

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Olson Kundig, Jim Olson, FAIA
Builder/General Contractor: Tom Harris (1981); Steve Clark (1997); Mark Ambler (2003, 2014)
Structural Engineer: MCE Structural Consultants (2003, 2014)
Lighting Design: Brian Hood Lighting Design (2003, 2014)
Interior Design: Olson Kundig, Jim Olson, FAIA

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A Mesmerizing Cabin in Puget Sound Evolves Over Several Decades