Gambier Island House: a remote Canadian retreat by Office of McFarlane Biggar treads lightly on its surrounds

As far as weekend getaway retreats go, the Gambier Island House is a worthy representative of the genre. Designed by Canadian architecture practice Office of McFarlane Biggar (previously McFarlane Green Biggar) for a young couple with two children, the house is close enough to the family's main Vancouver base, while at the same time providing an idyllic destination for relaxation that feels as far from civilisation as it possibly could, perched as it is atop a cliff that overlooks the blue waters off the British Columbia shore.

Take an interactive tour of Gambier Island House

The plot, on the northeast coast of Gambier Island, is part of the wooded waterfront of Howe Sound and is only accessible via the water. Naturally, this difficulty of access deeply affected the Vancouver based architects' design decisions. Prefabrication was used wherever possible and material use was minimised in order to limit the number of barge trips required, at the same time reducing the construction's environmental footprint. In addition to this, the house is entirely off the grid and independently powered.

The house may touch the ground lightly - in terms of its ecological impact but also literally, since it is partially raised on stilts - but its Douglas fir-clad interior offers the comforts of a modern family home. The structure's two volumes - minimal, glass-enclosed stacked boxes - host four light-filled bedrooms and an open plan living, kitchen and dining area.

Generous decked terraces offer an al fresco alternative to the retreat's large openings in the summer months, underlining the stunning views. A masterful combination of delicate architectural design and scenic location makes this little cabin in the woods a heavenly haven.