Sliding Glass Doors Open This Cabin to Coastal Views

by Erin Miller on April 30, 2026
A modern cedar cabin in Halfmoon Bay designed to preserve every existing tree, blending architecture with untouched forest surroundings.

In Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia, Patrick Warren, Senior Associate at Frits de Vries Architects + Associates, completed a compact cabin designed as a break from city living. What makes this project stand out immediately is how it sits within the site. Instead of clearing space, the design works around the existing trees, allowing the forest to remain untouched.

This decision shapes everything that follows. The cabin feels tucked into the landscape, with every angle responding to what was already there.

A modern cedar cabin in Halfmoon Bay designed to preserve every existing tree, blending architecture with untouched forest surroundings.

A Natural Approach From the Very First Step

The experience begins before you even reach the front door. A simple path, edged with boulders and ferns, leads visitors through the site. It’s a quiet introduction that mirrors the rest of the home.

The materials continue this idea. Second-growth managed forestry cedar wraps the cabin inside and out, giving it a consistent texture and tone that feels at home among the trees.

A modern cedar cabin in Halfmoon Bay designed to preserve every existing tree, blending architecture with untouched forest surroundings.
A modern cedar cabin in Halfmoon Bay designed to preserve every existing tree, blending architecture with untouched forest surroundings.
A forest pathway lined with boulders and ferns leads to a cedar-clad cabin, creating a natural and inviting entrance experience.

A Living Space That Opens to the View

Inside, the living room keeps things minimal. A simple gray sofa anchors the space, while a black fireplace adds contrast and warmth.

The real highlight is the wall of glass. Sliding doors open the entire space to a covered patio, extending the living area outdoors. With chairs, a fire bowl, and views of the water, this transition feels seamless and effortless.

A minimalist living room with a gray sofa and black fireplace opens through sliding glass doors to a covered patio with water views.
A minimalist living room with a gray sofa and black fireplace opens through sliding glass doors to a covered patio with water views.
A minimalist living room with a gray sofa and black fireplace opens through sliding glass doors to a covered patio with water views.
A minimalist living room with a gray sofa and black fireplace opens through sliding glass doors to a covered patio with water views.

Texture Meets Function

Next to the patio, the dining area introduces a different material palette. A wood-lined wall adds warmth, while the concrete floor keeps the space grounded and durable.

The kitchen continues this balance. Thick countertops give it a solid presence, paired with dark lower cabinets that tie in with the black accents seen throughout the home.

A dining space with a wood feature wall and concrete floors flows into a kitchen with thick countertops and dark cabinetry.
A dining space with a wood feature wall and concrete floors flows into a kitchen with thick countertops and dark cabinetry.
A dining space with a wood feature wall and concrete floors flows into a kitchen with thick countertops and dark cabinetry.

A Bedroom Framed by Windows

A black doorway near the kitchen leads into the bedroom, creating a subtle transition between shared and private spaces.

Here, the design focuses on the view. A full wall of windows brings in natural light and frames the landscape outside. Inside, a black and white partial accent wall wraps around the room, adding a graphic, artistic touch without overwhelming the space.

A bright bedroom with a full wall of windows and a bold black and white accent wall that adds a modern edge.
A bright bedroom with a full wall of windows and a bold black and white accent wall that adds a modern edge.
A bright bedroom with a full wall of windows and a bold black and white accent wall that adds a modern edge.
A bright bedroom with a full wall of windows and a bold black and white accent wall that adds a modern edge.

A Bathroom That Continues the Dark Palette

The bathroom carries the same design language forward. Black accents take center stage again, with blackened wood walls surrounding a built-in bathtub. The result is a space that feels cohesive with the rest of the cabin, while still offering a distinct atmosphere.

A modern bathroom with blackened wood walls and a built-in bathtub, continuing the cabin’s bold and minimal aesthetic.

This Halfmoon Bay cabin shows how a compact home can still feel complete. By preserving the trees, using consistent materials, and opening key spaces to the outdoors, the design creates a strong connection between inside and out.

Photography by Ema Peter Photography