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Completed in 10 months on a flat meadow atop a wooded bluff near the Cousins River estuary, the energy-efficient residence emphasizes indoor/outdoor living for a pair of nature lovers.

“We are in a nature sanctuary, and we are all responsible for its protection,” Gabriel says. “In this sense, we promote sustainable tourism, which has the least possible impact on the environment and encourages respect and conservation of each species.” Reused larch shingles clad the exteriors of the cabins.

An artist by trade, and gardener by passion, Allison Paschke commissioned Providence-based architecture firm 3SIXØ to build a modest cottage that would allow her to reconnect with nature. She landscaped the home’s lush gardens herself.

The deck has space for grilling and lounging alongside a lap pool that extends outward to the ocean.

An aerial view of Martha’s Vineyard Retreat shows its idyllic location adjacent to the beach; the manicured lawn gives way to a forested area that leads to sandy paths down to the shoreline.

Spacecube and Breathe were already collaborating on a demonstration unit for the Adaptable Living series when jeep suggested trying a remote location, to portray idyllic off-grid living.

After you’ve checked local guidelines, scoped out a site, and chosen a general size and shape, use marking paint to draw the dimensions of your future bonfire.

Chickens foraging in an enclosed garden with vertical planters.

In the kitchen, an island on casters hides a trio of tables that can be configured in multiple ways both indoors and out.

Current owners Scott and Kelsey Bouska worked with Landscape East & West to replenish the half-acre property.

Start building courses with your blocks, tapping down any wayward units with a rubber mallet. Make sure to stagger the joint locations as you stack them up, and test that your fire ring or bowl still fits as you go.

The home is composed of two parallel wings—one housing the main living space, kitchen, and primary bedroom suite; and the other containing the family room, bunk room, and garage.

Two new structures were also built in the backyard, and connected to the main house via the landscape plan by Lilyvilla Gardens. One is a 485-square-foot guest house, and the other is a 375-square-foot workshop for the owner, who’s a bike builder. They have the same exterior siding as the main house: rough-sawn tongue and groove cedar.

Sleek shelves and a wood accent wall warm the space, and Boyer specified exposed beams and an enlarged window.

New custom walnut cabinetry syncs with the rest of the built-ins throughout the home, to create a pleasing rhythm in the open plan. The backsplash is Heath Ceramics tile, and the counter is Pental Quartz. Open shelves at the rear overlook a cozy den, and allow sightlines out the new windows at the front of the home.