This new home in the San Juan Islands sits on a lovely rural property with low-bank waterfront. The architecture responds to the site: one approaches through the trees to the front porch, then once inside the house, views open up to the water beyond. Southern sunlight faces the front side of the house, hence the lifted roof with clerestory windows to get light deep into the interiors. Our design is very simple and pure: a Northwest contemporary cabin with Japanese influences. Deep overhangs, clear and simple structural components, and natural materials throughout impart a warm and welcoming feeling, yet modern and very functional.