An aerial view at twilight captures The Nest, its warm lights a beacon in the vast, remote landscape. The minimalist cabin is a small, quiet presence perched on a forested bluff overlooking a serene fjord and the lights of a distant town, highlighting the structure's serene and biophilic connection to its surroundings.

The Nest: A Prefabricated Off-Grid Retreat off Vancouver’s Coast by Daria Sheina Studio

Words by Eric David

Keats Island, British Columbia, Canada

Perched high on Keats Island, a short ferry ride from Vancouver yet a world apart in atmosphere, The Nest by architect Daria Sheina is an off-grid retreat that takes its cues from both its name and its setting. Wrapped in a dense evergreen canopy with views across Howe Sound, the house feels at once like a cabin and a tree-house, a surrealist perch that blurs the boundary between architecture and nature. Beyond its whimsical form, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable prefabricated design in remote locations, one that forges a deep connection to place without sacrificing aesthetics.

Densely forested and rugged, Keats Island is a recreational escape dotted with summer cabins and a close-knit community of about 50 full-time residents. Located on one of the island’s highest points, the property’s seclusion, elevated topography, and breathtaking panoramas had a profound influence on the project’s design, resulting in a house that feels anchored in its landscape while also rising above it like a lookout.

The Nest cabin is viewed from a lower vantage point, highlighting its striking angular architecture and asymmetrical form. The A-frame style and floor-to-ceiling windows blend with the towering trees and moss-covered earth. The cabin embodies a modern-rustic, neo-vernacular design, celebrating its integration into the natural environment.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

The Nest cabin, by Daria Sheina Studio, is partially revealed through the trunks of towering trees, their thick bark providing a strong textural contrast to the cabin's smooth wood facade. The image, with its soft, diffused light and moss-covered foreground, captures the structure's profound seclusion and biophilic spirit.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

An overhead aerial shot captures The Nest cabin by Daria Sheina Studio, a compact, minimalist cabin almost entirely hidden within a dense, evergreen forest. The cabin’s simple black and white form is a striking yet small presence in the vast, green biophilic landscape, emphasizing the sense of seclusion and escape.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

  • An aerial view captures The Nest perched on a forested slope at dusk. The minimalist cabin with its prominent solar panel roof is a quiet presence amidst the dense, dark green trees. The image conveys a sense of serene solitude and the structure's thoughtful, sustainable relationship with the landscape.

    Photography by Andrew Latreille.

  • A detailed close-up of The Nest cabin’s exterior facade, highlighting the textural interplay of vertical and diagonal wood planks. The contrast between the natural, weathered timber and the sleek, black metal window frame defines the cabin’s modern-rustic, neo-vernacular aesthetic and meticulous craftsmanship.

    Photography by Andrew Latreille.

Perched within a verdant forest, The Nest by Daria Sheina Studio is a contemporary cabin with a steeply angled form. Its timber-clad facade and prominent solar panels suggest a commitment to a sustainable, biophilic design philosophy. The large windows offer panoramic views of distant snow-capped mountains and a pristine lake.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

Architecturally, the house is conceived as the collision of two cubic volumes, one rotated 45 degrees against the other to create a striking, angular silhouette. The upper volume appears to pivot outward, its broad glazed facade opening out to the forest and sky. Despite this quirky geometry, the structure is harmoniously embedded in its setting, its Western red cedar cladding binding the volumes together in a warm, natural skin. With time, the timber will weather to silvery hues, softening the geometry and further blending the house into the landscape

This close-up reveals the striking architectural geometry of The Nest. The timber-clad facade with vertical planks blends seamlessly with the towering trees. This neo-vernacular aesthetic celebrates natural materials and reflects the cabin's tranquil, wooded environment, highlighting a thoughtful and minimalist approach.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

Inside The Nest, a dynamic interplay of warm plywood walls and a vibrant green floor creates an unexpected modern-rustic atmosphere. The open-plan layout, illuminated by tall windows, connects the living, dining, and bathroom spaces. This design highlights a modular sensibility with a bold, unique color palette.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

A close-up of The Nest's kitchenette area features a modern faucet and dark cabinetry against warm plywood. A window frames a view of the forest and distant mountains, highlighting the cabin's biophilic integration. The simple, functional design speaks to a minimalist approach to interior living.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

This view showcases The Nest's fluid, open-plan design, where the kitchen and living areas merge under a soaring, timber-clad ceiling. Expansive glazing offers uninterrupted views of the dense forest, reinforcing the biophilic design. The space features a sophisticated palette of warm wood and minimalist dark cabinetry.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

The building’s volumetric playfulness is carried inside, where the angled upper volume dramatically penetrates the double-height living area. Organised as a vertical, three-level configuration, the house cleverly maximises its modest footprint: the ground floor accommodates the kitchen, dining area, living room, and bathroom, while the angled upper volume contains a lounge on the middle level and a bedroom tucked beneath the slanted skylight above. This sequence unfolds like an ascent through the treetops, culminating in a nest-like bedroom where waking beneath the tilted glazing feels akin to inhabiting the canopy itself.

The interiors balance architectural restraint with moments of playful character. From floor to walls to ceilings, the spaces are wrapped in timber boards and panels left in their natural finish, creating a continuous, cocoon-like environment that amplifies the sensation of shelter. This warm wooden envelope is complemented by green Marmoleum flooring, a subtle gesture that mirrors the moss-carpeted forest outside. Against this calm, unified backdrop, the clients introduced distinctive pieces: a wood-framed tan leather sofa, Philippe Starck’s tongue-in-cheek Gnomes side tables for Kartell, and a fern-green Eames RAR rocking chair by Vitra. Together, they temper the home’s sculptural rigour with warmth and whimsy.

The Nest's cozy living space is defined by its honey-toned plywood walls and a rich brown leather sofa. The floor-to-ceiling windows immerse the room in the surrounding forest. A sleek black wood-burning stove and a playful red mushroom-shaped table add unique character to this immersive, modern-rustic retreat.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

A view within The Nest showcases the striking geometric staircase with vibrant green treads, contrasting with warm plywood walls. A tall, narrow window frames the surrounding forest. The open-plan design and natural materials create a minimalist yet inviting atmosphere, connecting the interior with its biophilic setting.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

This interior view of The Nest focuses on the geometric staircase with bright green treads, set against walls of warm plywood. A narrow window provides a glimpse of the surrounding trees. The design emphasizes clean lines and natural textures, characteristic of minimalist and biophilic architectural styles.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

  • A cozy, minimalist bedroom in The Nest cabin features warm plywood and wood-plank walls and ceilings. A bed with a colorful striped blanket sits beneath a wide, horizontal window that offers a serene, intimate view of the surrounding forest, blending Scandinavian simplicity with a deep connection to nature.

    Photography by Andrew Latreille.

  • The Nest features a tall, vertical window set within its warm plywood interior, offering a framed view of the tranquil forest. The architectural design incorporates angled wooden beams, creating dynamic spatial relationships. This detail underscores the cabin's minimalist aesthetic and its seamless integration with the natural environment.

    Photography by Andrew Latreille.

  • The interior of The Nest showcases expansive wood paneling and a transitional space with a textured rug. A doorway reveals a view into another part of the cabin. The minimalist design and natural materials create a warm, inviting atmosphere, consistent with Scandinavian and Japandi aesthetics.

    Photography by Andrew Latreille.

An open-plan bathroom area in The Nest features a freestanding white bathtub positioned beneath a wide window, offering views of the forest and mountains. The plywood walls and concrete accents create a minimalist, spa-like sanctuary. The adjacent kitchenette is visible, showcasing the home's modular and integrated design.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

The Nest's upper-level space showcases a dramatic geometric window that follows the roofline, framing a dynamic view of the treetops and sky. A single green rocking chair sits on the wood plank floor. The space is defined by its clean lines and warm plywood surfaces, creating a simple, Scandinavian atmosphere.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

A minimalist bedroom in The Nest offers a breathtaking view of the water and distant mountains through a wide, horizontal window. The room’s simple design, with wood-plank and plywood walls and a low bed, ensures the natural vista remains the primary focus of this serene, biophilic space.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, the off-grid home operates entirely on solar power, along with rainwater harvesting and filtration, and an incinerating toilet. Mass timber construction eliminated the need for structural steel, while minimal foundations reduced excavation, ensuring the delicate forest terrain remained largely untouched.

Given the site’s inaccessibility—the island is reachable only by water taxi or passenger ferry—prefabrication was not just a design choice but a necessity. Sheina collaborated with a specialist prefab company in order to virtually model every component for efficient transport by truck, barge, and helicopter. “The process was an intricate puzzle of design, engineering, and logistics,” she recalls. Remarkably, the entire structure was assembled in just two days, an extraordinary feat of coordination and planning.

The Nest cabin emerges from a misty, fog-shrouded forest, its timber-clad facade and sharp angles visible through the towering trees. A neat pile of firewood sits alongside the structure. The scene's serene atmosphere and neo-vernacular design showcase a deep connection to the tranquil, rugged landscape.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

A minimalist bathroom in The Nest is captured through its glass facade, blending the raw concrete and a sleek basin with the reflection of the surrounding forest. This view emphasizes the biophilic design philosophy, where the space is defined by its seamless integration with the natural environment.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

The Nest cabin glows from within at dusk, its warm interior light contrasting with the cool, blue tones of the twilight forest. The timber-clad facade and multiple windows frame views of the surrounding trees and reveal glimpses of the cozy living space, embodying a modern-rustic escape into nature.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

The Nest cabin is viewed from a mossy forest path, its wood-clad facade blending with the towering trees. The simple, neo-vernacular form features a large window, which softly glows from within. This image highlights the cabin’s respectful and biophilic integration into the quiet, serene landscape.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

The Nest’s sharp architectural angles are softly illuminated at dusk, casting a warm orange glow from within onto the rugged landscape. The wood facade of the cabin is defined by diagonal planking and vertical windows, creating a welcoming and modern-rustic atmosphere that stands out against the muted tones of the sky and surrounding trees.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

An aerial view captures The Nest, a minimalist cabin by Daria Sheina Studio, peacefully situated on a cliffside. Overlooking a serene, mist-shrouded fjord at dusk, the twilight atmosphere and muted colors create a profound sense of tranquility. The design emphasizes a deep biophilic connection to the rugged, remote landscape.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

For the homeowners, two professionals who both owned separate properties on the island before becoming a couple, The Nest is as personal as it is architectural. “Keats Island is such a special place; it’s so close to the city, and yet a million miles away,” they reflect. “The Nest is meant to amplify that effect for us, providing us with an escape to balance our sanity and mental health from the realities we easily get caught up in back in Vancouver.”

Compact, eco-conscious, and idiosyncratically beautiful, The Nest demonstrates how prefabricated architecture can be both visionary and rooted. Hovering between cabin and tree-house, it offers its owners not only a retreat but also a nest in the fullest sense of the word.

An aerial view at twilight captures The Nest, its warm lights a beacon in the vast, remote landscape. The minimalist cabin is a small, quiet presence perched on a forested bluff overlooking a serene fjord and the lights of a distant town, highlighting the structure's serene and biophilic connection to its surroundings.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.

A dramatic night shot of The Nest reveals its striking geometric form against a deep blue, star-streaked sky. The dark, angled timber facade with a single illuminated window seems to quietly emerge from the surrounding forest, capturing a sense of profound solitude and neo-vernacular beauty.

Photography by Andrew Latreille.