Mystery, memory, poetry, and light—these are the essence of Garage, the award-winning architectural debut by creative studio Graypants. A once-forgotten garage on Vashon Island, Washington, has been transformed into a sleek and evocative residential cabin, blending salvaged materials from the original structure with vintage finds—like a century-old stove—and contemporary interventions.

Among the project’s standout features is the striking copper cladding on the exterior walls, which earned it a 2014 Copper in Architecture Award. Another defining element is the Corian front door, engraved with a poem by Robert Creeley, quietly setting the tone for what lies within.

Inside, beds and seating cleverly tuck beneath wooden floor panels, allowing the space to adapt effortlessly to a variety of uses and moods. For the designers, Garage is a celebration of “the beauty of everyday interactions”—a vision fully realized through the cabin’s versatility and meditative openness.

To capture its spirit, Graypants partnered with Shep Films to create a short film that beautifully reflects the mood and concept of this striking contemporary retreat.