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.

So when her parents bought the property as a legacy piece—a gathering place for their three kids and handful of active grandkids—Helen 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 Helen. “These grounds are very important.”

As the family’s resident architect, Helen 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, Helen and Ian 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 Helen.

It was this lighter touch on the ground that allowed Helen the flexibility to avoid damaging the old-growth trees on the property. In fact, the only time the cabin touches the ground is where the ramp connects the porch and the earth.

The most challenging aspect of the project was working away from the mainland, particularly during a building boom that had tied up many of the local tradespeople. Shipping materials over (or even pieces of a prefabricated design) would be both time-consuming and expensive, so Helen decided to source the majority of the materials from the island’s few hardware shops. She also pounced when they found a local contractor who was available.

“It was important that we didn’t go far. We wanted to get it done quickly and economically,” says Helen. Simple two-by-tens formed the house's frame, and plywood boards were used for walls.

In just over 1,200 square feet, Helen was able to fit three bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a powder room, along with an open plan kitchen/dining/living space. The trio of rooms are identical in size and structure. Helen kept them strategically small, opting instead to maximize square footage in the communal spaces. “The intention is for us to spend time together,” says Helen.

There aren't too many windows, and each one is intentionally placed to situate a specific view. This was also done in part to help with passive heating and cooling. Outside of each bedroom door, there’s a framed opening that gives a special, private vantage into the trees. “We didn’t need a gluttony of views,” says Helen. “It’s more about that special, framed moment.”

Cleverly, cubbies and cabinets are arranged in a line down the hallway, making use of an otherwise transitional space. “I wanted to use and activate the hallways, and force us to be bumping into each other,” the architect explains. The way this linear storage is built around the windows creates private perches, just right for little ones seeking a quiet moment.

Now that everyone’s working remotely, the cabin’s been a lot busier, and Helen has gotten to experience her project, and this special piece of land, in new ways.

“The change of the seasons brings changes of the light, and the experience of being in here totally evolves,” says Helen. A maple tree loses its leaves, and suddenly a corner of the living room is flooded with light it wasn’t before; as the days grow shorter, the shadows glide unexpectedly across the space. “I always get surprised.”

A Copper Cabin in British Columbia Glows With Magical Childhood Memories

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Helen Pang Architecture / @helenpangarchitecture

Builder/General Contractor: Green City Builders / @greencitybuildersssi

Structural Engineer: Fast and Epp / @fastepp

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Counterculture Cabinetry