Winthrop, WA

The Jackknife Cabin is located near the western-themed town of Winthrop, in Washington State. The site is characterized by rolling hills. In plan, three blades of the “knife” open to create a great room, sleeping wing and carport. A fourth building serves as a pottery studio and prep space for outdoor activities (including biking, kayaking and Nordic skiing). The buildings are set low against the ground plane, emphasizing the horizontality of the site. A courtyard – providing a place to escape the mid-summer sun and heat – defines the north side of the complex, while a large porch wraps around the south, east and west. Interior spaces are dramatized by the interplay of geometric conditions, and well-placed glass walls merge interior and exterior experiences. Building materials were selected to blend with the natural site, and include rusted steel, lichen-colored cementitious panels, architectural concrete and cedar.