Carey Doberstein and Jesse Goodwin have traded their Vancouver condo for a compact 120-square-meter hillside cabin near Naramata, B.C. Designed by Sanders Green and Third Street Studio, the retreat prioritizes communal gathering over individual bedroom space.
A 120-square-metre pivot away from Okanagan megamansions
The Okanagan region is often defined by a race to build the largest, most imposnig structures possible. However, the hillside cabin near Naramata, B.C., owned by Carey Doberstein and Jesse Goodwin,takes a different path. Designed by the local architecture firm Sanders Green,the 120-square-meter residence focuses on site respect rather than sheer scale.
Architect Warren Sanders, a co-founder of Sanders Green, noted that the design approach was intended to reflect the people living there rather than succumbing to local pressuure for massive builds. This philosophy of restraint is evident in the way the structure sits on walls of hand-placed stones found directly on the site, grounding the contemporary design in the local landscape.
Maximizing views through a 70-square-metre communal great room
The interior layout intentionally sacrifices private bedroom space to bolster social interaction. According to the report, the central great room occupies approximately 70 square metres, serving as a combined kitchen, dining, and living hub. This space is flanked by two terraces: an eastern courtyard with a fire pit and a western balcony overlooking Okanagan Lake and the surrounding mountains.
To ensure the landscape remains the focal point, the design utilizes floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that connect the great room to both outdoor areas. As the source reports, the ceiling tilts upward toward the lake, effectively turning the center of the home into a "giant viewfinder" for the views. This architectural choice ensures that even when residents are inside, the vineyards and the lake remain visible.
Low-maintenance finishes like Dekton and charred cedar
Durability and ease of care are core components of the interior design managed by Brittany McMullen of Third Street Studio. The exterior of the Naramata cabin is wrapped in charred cedar, a material chosen for its natural resistance to insects and rot. inside, the palette remains low-key and nature-inspired to avoid obstructing the mountain sight lines.
The owners specifically requested low-maintenance options to facilitate their frequent visits. in the kitchen, Sanders Green selected a Dekton backsplash—an engineered Spanish product—because it can withstand red wine stains without marking, unlike traditional stone like travertine. Other curated pieces include a Deco-inspired Arcade Bar Cart from the Canadian brand Gus Modern and Tuck dining chairs from Sundays, which feature armrests that slide under the table to maintain clean visual lines.
The logistics of a five-hour trek from Vancouver
While the cabin offers a restful retreat, the lifestyle required to maintain it remains an unexamined variable. Doberstein, a political science professor, and Goodwin, a physician, travel five hours from their Vancouver condo every three to four weeks to reach the Okanagan. It remains unclear how the owners balance these frequent, long-distance commutes with their demanding proessional schedules.
Furthermore, the source does not clarify if this compact footprint is intended as a permanent lifestyle shift or if the cabin will eventually serve as a primary residence. While the presence of a small desk allows for occasional laptop work, the overall intention is an "unplugged" experience, leaving the long-term balance between professional obligations and this remote sanctuary an open question.
Comments 0