When most people search for real estate, they focus on grand views, extra bathrooms, or ample storage space. But for Los Angeles resident Todd Stevens, his property hunt centered on something entirely different: access to great kayaking waters. While he had discovered some decent paddling spots in Southern California over the years, the long commute to reach the water became increasingly frustrating, prompting him to search for a place where he could build a getaway with better proximity to kayaking opportunities.

"By 2000, I was dream-searching real estate sites, looking for places near good kayaking," Todd explains. His search eventually led him and his wife to Washington's San Juan Islands, a stunning archipelago of more than 170 islands located on the state's northwest coast, bordering Canada. After examining the four islands in the group that offered ferry service, Todd narrowed his focus to Lopez Island, the third-largest in the San Juans, known for its relaxed lifestyle and peaceful atmosphere.

"Of course, it was the kayaking that brought Todd and his wife there, but also the fact that it's so beautiful and peaceful," he adds. Initially, the couple purchased a site on the island's south side, envisioning a simple kayaking crash pad. However, the pandemic fundamentally shifted their thinking, and they decided to relocate to the island full-time. This change in plans led them to find a larger, sunnier parcel on the northern side featuring a flat meadow where they could construct something more substantial than originally intended.

For their initial kayak crash pad concept, the couple had engaged Lopez Island architect Nitsan Yomtov, who sketched three separate structures connected by a breezeway. When the new site came into play, Yomtov maintained that innovative design approach but expanded the square footage significantly. "The home is an archipelago, a cellular arrangement of structures," he explains of the design philosophy, which requires residents to go outside to travel between different zones of the house. "People who live here tend to want to be outside—they appreciate the environment and outdoor pursuits, so this was an opportunity to work with that."

The three structures are arranged like a string of pearls along the site, with the southernmost building housing the sleeping area. A screened porch connects it with the dining and food preparation area, which also contains a bathroom and sauna with their own entrance. The third structure holds an art studio, providing the couple with a dedicated creative space. "The owners also wanted flexibility within these spaces, so the studio can convert to an office or an exercise space or even a guest space," Yomtov notes. "It allows their home to evolve with them."

The art studio has proven particularly versatile. "The studio has turned out to be the perfect guest space—a little motel-style room," says homeowner Todd Stevens. "It sits on the meadow and looks into the woods. It's beautiful." The space features a writing desk and built-in maple shelving crafted by Island Custom Woodworks, a local Lopez Island company.

Beyond providing greater access to the outdoors, the linear arrangement of spaces offers privacy for the central living zone, which is buffered on either side by the accompanying buildings. The buildings connect via raised boardwalks, complemented by large overhangs originally intended to provide coverage for kayak storage. "I thought I'd store the boats under them in the winter, but once we moved here, I bought a little Toyota van so I can keep the boat and gear ready to go," Todd explains. "On a good day, I don't have to load anything—I just head out."

Throughout the project, Yomtov maintained a simple material palette and relied on as many local tradespeople as possible for ease of construction on the island. The cabin is clad in dark-stained cedar siding, which contrasts beautifully with the light maple casework and flooring used throughout the interiors. The boardwalk is crafted from thermally modified ash decking, a specialized wood treatment where moisture is extracted on a cellular level to make it more weather-resistant—an important consideration given the Pacific Northwest's frequently rainy climate.

"We wanted that contrast and duality between the interior and exterior finishes," Yomtov explains. The design creates a striking visual impact, with the black cedar exteriors appearing to float on the network of elevated boardwalks, mimicking the archipelago setting that surrounds them.

Inside, the living area features a wood stove from Danish company Morsø, with a steel fireplace surround crafted locally in Mount Vernon, Washington. Large aluminum-clad pine windows frame the exterior environment, while maple flooring adds warmth throughout. The sleeping area showcases custom maple casework also crafted by Island Custom Woodworks, with brass cabinet pulls from Schoolhouse and wall lamps by Normann Copenhagen.

The food preparation area sits adjacent to a small dining area in the middle structure, featuring black Richlite countertops that complement a white tile backsplash and maple cabinetry. The space includes a Bosch induction cooktop and Grohe faucet. The dining area features a built-in bench and table, both crafted by Island Custom Woodworks, maximizing the efficient use of space.

The bathroom, located adjacent to the studio space, maintains the home's clean aesthetic with white tile and flooring from Daltile and shower fixtures from Kohler. The sauna, which has its own entrance, features an outdoor shower and a heater from Finnish company Harvia, adding a spa-like element to the retreat.

A screened porch forms a breezeway between the living and sleeping areas, providing ample outdoor space for lounging while protecting from insects. This intermediate space exemplifies the design's emphasis on blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.

The home's informal nature perfectly aligns with Lopez Island's easygoing vibe. "It's much more casual than the other ferry-served islands," Yomtov explains. "I always say that everybody's nice clothes on Lopez are their work clothes that are the least stained and dirty," he laughs.

For Todd, this laid-back atmosphere is exactly what he appreciates about both Lopez and their new home. "We love the peacefulness, the quiet, the sense of being tucked away," he explains. "At the house, there's not too much direct sunlight in summer and plenty of brightness on the darkest days—it's easy to appreciate this home all the time."

The project, known as Bladderwrack Cabin, was designed by Ets Architecture and built by Ascent Building Company, with structural engineering by Isbell Consulting Engineers. The cabinetry fabrication was handled by Island Custom Woodworks, showcasing the successful collaboration between the architect and local craftspeople.

This unique residential project demonstrates how thoughtful design can create a home that not only serves its residents' specific lifestyle needs but also reflects and celebrates its natural island setting. The three connected structures, appearing to float on their elevated boardwalks, create a compelling architectural metaphor for the archipelago they inhabit, while providing the perfect base for the kayaking adventures that originally drew the couple to this peaceful corner of the Pacific Northwest.