The Shop

The Shop was built in 2001 by architect Chester Wisniewski as a working boatyard—a place to build and repair wooden sailboats beneath a soaring roof inspired by Japanese shrines. After Wisniewski passed in 2015, his three sons approached us to transform the workshop into a family retreat while preserving its original character. The building's open structure and exposure to island weather required careful attention to waterproofing and maintenance.

The main space honors its workshop origins: what was once an area for cutting and sanding wood is now a kitchen and dining area, with each function claiming its own dedicated zone. A massive 2.5-ton ship's bandsaw from 1850—once used to cut sailboat parts—now serves as the central bar. The bedrooms are tucked into a separate wing designed like built-in cabinetry, with sliding doors that feel like opening a craftsman's tool cabinet.

We worked closely with the family to blend the building's utilitarian past with their need for a comfortable home. This meant incorporating the client’s collection of antique tools as wall-mounted art, creating a nine-foot dining table from black walnut and resin, and adding new windows that flood the space with natural light. Custom details—from the live-edge barn doors to the extra-tall kitchen counters designed for a family of tall people who love to cook—ensure the space works for how they actually live while honoring what it once was.