The World’s Most Beautiful Basecamp: Split Cabin Wins LaCantina’s “Best in Show” Award
Can minimalist architecture still feel rich and inviting?
Split Cabin by Washington-based studio Syndicate Smith offers a definitive answer. Located in the forested foothills of Lake Wenatchee, this 1,289-square-foot getaway rethinks the mountain retreat as a tool for immersion rather than escape. Its rich use of materials and stunning connection with the surrounding landscape captured the imagination of jurors in the 2025 Best of LaCantina competition, netting it the coveted Best in Show Award.
Photo by Will Austin
Split Cabin is split into two compact wings — one for living, one for sleeping — joined not by an interior corridor but by a covered outdoor breezeway that invites occupants to interact with the elements daily. “With its unpretentious charm,” the architects explain, “this cabin stands as a modest starting point, enabling residents to venture into the wilderness and return to a serene, unassuming space for relaxation and gatherings with family and friends.”
This sense of modesty is a guiding principle throughout the design. From the material palette to the massing, every decision supports a quiet clarity. Privacy is maintained through solid wall planes that shield views from neighboring lots, while the dwelling is oriented to capture panoramic vistas of the forest and distant ridgeline.
Photo by Will Austin
Passive strategies are built into the form — roof overhangs mitigate summer sun, while the split plan promotes cross ventilation. Yet the small footprint never feels enclosed, thanks in large part to the use of LaCantina’s aluminum wood sliding door systems, which form the project’s most transformative architectural element.
“We chose LaCantina Doors because their slim profiles maximize panoramic views while maintaining the cabin’s minimalist aesthetic,” said the design team. Installed along the main living volume, the doors open fully to the covered patio, enabling the breezeway to function as a true extension of the home. The gesture expands the living space without adding square footage, allowing natural light, air and movement to define the interior experience.
Photo by Will Austin
Equally important was performance. In a high-altitude, year-round climate, the team needed systems that would support comfort and durability without compromising the visual language of the project.
“They provide the energy efficiency needed for year-round comfort in a mountain climate,” the architects noted, adding that “durable hardware and multi-point locking ensure reliability in a simple, low-maintenance retreat.” The selected systems feature black aluminum exteriors for resilience and vertical grain fir interiors to harmonize with the project’s warm, wood-toned palette.
Photo by Will Austin
What makes Split Cabin exceptional is that, through simple design choices, every element has been calibrated to serve both function and feeling. “LaCantina’s consistent design language across door systems supported the clean, understated character of the project,” the architects emphasized, reinforcing the importance of cohesion in a design that resists architectural showmanship. By prioritizing formal subtlety and material clarity, Syndicate Smith has created a structure that acts less like an object and more like a lens on the landscape.
Photo by Will Austin
For architects working at the intersection of environment, durability, and minimalism, Split Cabin is a valuable case study in how glazing systems can be used not just as a feature, but as the foundation of a design. Its restrained execution and quietly radical spatial logic make it a worthy recipient of the top honor in this year’s Best of LaCantina competition.
To see more award-winning designs and explore the systems that helped bring them to life, visit LaCantinaDoors.com.
The post The World’s Most Beautiful Basecamp: Split Cabin Wins LaCantina’s “Best in Show” Award appeared first on Journal.
