A week on Savary Island, turning local timber into a sleeping loft for a glass cabin Airbnb.
The Challenge
The cabin needed a loft to maximize sleeping capacity, but standard ladder designs felt too industrial for the handcrafted aesthetic. The space was tight, the ceiling low, and the client wanted something that felt like it belonged there—not bolted on as an afterthought.
The Approach
Hand-notched cantilever platform design. Each step extends from the wall without visible supports, creating an open feel and expanding usable loft space. The cantilevered treads also reduce the climb angle, making the ascent less intimidating for guests unfamiliar with loft ladders.
All lumber was cut and milled on-island by Tony Tuba—local Western Red Cedar that matches the cabin's existing woodwork. No imported materials, no waste shipping. Design through construction took one week.
Outcome
The loft sleeps two comfortably with storage underneath. The ladder doubles as a design feature—guests comment on it in reviews. The cantilever construction has held up through three years of Airbnb traffic with no maintenance required.
