Mason-Yocom Cabin

As one of our first Holiday Farm Fire rebuild projects, we knew that this project would be a part of a special effort to help restore the community of the McKenzie River watershed. Due to the site being tucked tightly between the highway and the river, and within the riparian setback and river floodplain, the only option was to rebuild precisely on the footprint of the original 1940’s cabin. Our clients wanted the rebuild to be a modern space with a strong visual and physical connection to the river and valley, and we were excited for the opportunity to help them realize their vision.

With only a 592 square foot footprint, the cabin includes all the amenities one would expect in a larger home while also maintaining an open and airy feeling. Panoramic windows in the living room make you feel like you’re on a boat on the river and the open loft offers additional sleeping space and a cozy spot to sit and look out over the water.

While losing the cabin in the fire was difficult, it was also an opportunity to build back better. The new foundation, engineered to withstand record flooding replaced a teetering 80-year-old wall on which floor timbers were carefully balanced, and a new advanced treatment septic system replaced a rusty, and leaky steel tank. The new construction is energy efficient and fire resilient and should provide comfort and memories for many years to come.

…We knew immediately after the fire we would rebuild and wanted to honor the beauty and rich history of the valley by building a modern cabin in the same footprint… From the first meeting with Dean, to designing the cabin with Tobin, and then walking through the day to day build with Lytton, we felt comfortable and in complete control of our project… Every member of the RVDC team was exceptional and did outstanding work at the craftsman’s level… It was an amazing experience watching this build progress and then finally move in. Although our 1940’s rustic cabin is gone, RVDC made it possible in a time of immense sadness to reconnect with the river and the land. We love our modern cabin on the river and will continue to nurture it as well as the land and river for generations to come. Thanks Rainbow Valley!

-Carolyn Mason and Liz Yocom