In 2015, Patrick Powers and his family stumbled upon a home with “massive potential” on Galiano Island, located between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. The home was originally constructed in the 1970s, and it offers astounding waterfront views—however it was poorly maintained over the years.

Powers, the owner of a construction management company, chose to focus on the positive aspects of the home, knowing that he could fix and update it as the family saw fit. South- and west-facing windows provide spectacular views of the sunset and fill the home with natural light. Easy ferry access means that trips to and from Vancouver are relatively easy, and there’s direct access to a beach.

After taking care of the most pressing issues—the leaking roof, the deteriorated structural posts, the poor insulation—Powers began to address the design and finishes of the home. Inspired by his childhood home—a rustic cottage in Ontario—Powers sought a getaway that was “beautiful in its simplicity,” with modern architectural detailing. He found a second source of inspiration in the home’s proximity to nature and impressive views.

With these ideas in mind, Powers developed a palette of natural materials for the exterior that would age gracefully, given their surefire exposure to the elements. In Powers’s words, the home “was meant to age with time and to develop the beautiful patina that nature slowly provides.”

He selected Western red cedar shingles for the acorn-shaped home’s exterior cladding. The windows are custom-built out of western red cedar and wrapped with Cor-Ten steel that will age with the years. The guardrails and fencing are made from the same weathered steel and wood. The idea was that no materials on the exterior would have a coating that would need to be maintained and reapplied. Powers integrated 16-foot-wide sliding doors on the primary level to maximize views from the dining, kitchen, and living rooms.

Shop the Look

Powers updated the layout so that the ground floor is largely open, and he tucked the stairs in the back. A kitchen with a generous island looks out through 16-foot-wide sliding glass doors to the ocean beyond. The dining and living areas are oriented so that they are open and face the waterfront. In these spaces, the main design feature is without a doubt the unusual, prow-like form of the ceiling, which curves elegantly to a peak, like the tip of an acorn.

The lower level—accessed by a stair with wooden treads and risers—houses a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Expansive views make the space feel like it’s floating above the ocean’s surface. The walls of the lower level are composed of board-formed concrete with exterior insulation, and architectural polished concrete floors give the space an industrial feel.

Douglas fir features in the main level’s flooring, plywood cabinetry, and millwork. The Douglas fir tongue-and-groove decking and beams are whitewashed to give the space a bright feel, and the space is accented by antique light fixtures.

Powers says the island’s remote location and lack of construction resources were the most challenging aspects of the project. Despite all of the hard work, he ultimately says that it “has been endlessly rewarding.” After conducting the thorough renovation, Powers has decided to list the cabin for sale—it’s currently available for $1,050,000.

The Acorn Cabin is currently listed for $1,050,000 by Gulf Island Living.

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Project Credits:

Designer & General Contractor: Powers Construction @powersconstruction

Structural Engineer: KSM Associates Ltd.

Photography: Latreille Architectural Photography

Furnishings: Scott Landon Antiques

Finishing Carpenters: Plum Contracting