Daria Sheina Studio has completed construction of The Nest, an innovative prefabricated mass timber retreat perched on a remote, forested hillside of Keats Island, located just off the coast of Vancouver, Canada. The 100-square-meter, three-story residence represents a new model for sustainable architecture in challenging, ecologically sensitive environments where traditional construction methods are impractical. Designed for clients Chadd Andre and Sean Sikorski, the home demonstrates how small-scale architecture can minimize environmental impact while providing comfortable, self-sufficient living spaces. The project's success relied heavily on digital fabrication and helicopter delivery to overcome the site's lack of road access and preserve the pristine forest setting.
The island's dense coastal forests and limited infrastructure presented significant logistical challenges that demanded creative solutions from the Vancouver-based design practice. With no roads leading to the building site, all construction materials had to be transported by barge to the island's shore, then airlifted by helicopter to the hillside location. This constraint made prefabrication essential, prompting the studio to partner with BC Passive House to develop a digitally modeled, panelized structural system. The entire building shell was manufactured off-site, flown in sections, and assembled in just two days, dramatically reducing on-site construction time and environmental disruption to the sensitive ecosystem.
Sustainability features are central to The Nest's design philosophy, allowing it to operate completely independently from municipal utilities. The building generates its own electricity through a rooftop solar array, collects and filters rainwater for domestic use, and employs an incinerating toilet system that eliminates the need for septic infrastructure. These self-sufficient systems enable the homeowners to maintain a minimal ecological footprint while enjoying modern comforts in their remote retreat. The three-story layout organizes living spaces vertically, with the entry and main living area on the ground floor, a lounge on the second level, and a bedroom at the top, maximizing views while minimizing the building's physical footprint.
Material choices were carefully selected to help the structure merge with its forested surroundings over time. Western red cedar siding will naturally weather to a silvery grey that matches the surrounding tree bark, while the interior features exposed timber and green linoleum that echoes the moss and forest floor. The design deliberately avoids formal landscaping or site clearing, allowing the native vegetation to grow directly against the building. A small separate bunkie and workshed provide additional sleeping space and storage without compromising the main structure's compact efficiency or disturbing additional forest area around the property.
For Andre and Sikorski, The Nest serves as a crucial counterbalance to their busy urban lives in Vancouver, offering a place to reset their mental health and reconnect with nature. They describe Keats Island as a special place that feels a million miles away despite being just a short ferry ride from the city. The home's name guided the design concept, evoking ideas of protection, embedding, and being shaped by surroundings. The retreat provides the psychological benefits of extreme remoteness while remaining physically accessible enough for regular weekend visits, creating an ideal balance between escape and convenience for the couple.
The project illustrates a growing architectural trend toward designing for difficult terrains with minimal site impact through prefabrication and sustainable technologies. By leveraging digital design tools and modern delivery methods, Daria Sheina Studio has demonstrated that remote locations need not compromise architectural quality or environmental responsibility. The Nest serves as a prototype for how future retreats can provide sanctuary while preserving the pristine natural settings that make them desirable. Its success may inspire similar approaches to building in other ecologically sensitive or inaccessible locations worldwide, potentially revolutionizing how we think about development in protected areas.
