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A Modern Retreat on the Island of Marrowstone

Chris Pardo, of Chris Pardo Design: Elemental Architecture, designed this modern island retreat as a small vacation cabin on the island of Marrowstone in Washington state. Built by Method Homes as a prefab modular unit, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom model, called Element 1, sits on waterfront property and blends with the surrounding natural landscape.

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The design houses 825 square feet, which is partially covered in floor-to-ceiling windows that open up onto a deck. The windows frame the wooded and coastal views of the Puget Sound.

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On the other side, the corner with the bedroom opens up as well, filling the space with light.

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The exterior is clad in corten rusted steel and cedar siding, both of which will stand up to the elements.

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The window walls frame the breathtaking water views and make the separation between the indoors and outdoors dissolve.

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The energy efficient unit features FSC bamboo flooring and custom maple cabinetry.

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Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.