Built and designed by architect Jesse Garlick as a personal retreat, Sky House is a prefabricated, off-the-grid vacation home located in the semi-arid foothills near Oroville, Washington, close to the U.S.–Canadian border. Completed around 2014, the modest 850-square-foot cabin was designed to connect its inhabitants with the rugged high desert landscape and the vast, open sky. The house was built with efficiency and a low environmental footprint in mind. Its structure is composed of solid cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, which were prefabricated off-site and transported on a single truckload to the remote location. The entire shell was erected in just over two days by a small crew. The exterior is clad in sheets of unfinished raw steel, which have developed a patina of ochre-red that mimics the color of the surrounding weathered bedrock, helping the home blend into its natural surroundings. The interior features unfinished CLT panels, helping to optimize material usage and costs. The off-grid dwelling is entirely self-sufficient, relying on solar power for electricity and propane for cooking, hot water, and a backup power source. It also features a wood-burning stove for heating. Passive design strategies, such as the use of high thermal mass walls and stack ventilation, help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Large south-facing windows maximize solar gain and frame expansive views of the Cascade foothills. Inside, the compact, two-story layout cleverly incorporates space-saving features inspired by nautical design and old trail cabins. A daybed on the ground floor can be cordoned off with curtains for guest accommodation. This bed is also equipped with a sailboat winch that can raise it to the ceiling, revealing a tile-surround bathtub underneath. Credits Architect: Jesse Garlick of Studio 531 Architects Owner and collaborating designer: Susan Elliott Photography: PLATFORM architecture + design