Oceanside glamping resort in an old-growth Sitka forest
An intimate hideaway on the rugged Oregon coast, Two Capes Lookout is an immersive, year-round retreat. Straddling lush green forests and cliffside ocean views, the trees literally meet the sea on this stunning 58-acre property. Phase 1 of the project includes 15 geodesic domes, 4 mirrored cabins, two fire pit areas, and a check-in dome with yoga platform, waterfall, and sauna. Work included campus design and masterplanning, public space design, planting design, habitat restoration, and custom milling and furniture from onsite trees. In collaboration with our friends at Max Humphrey and OfficeUntitled.
Two Capes Lookout sits above the Pacific Ocean on a former logging claim. A mix of Sitka Spruce, Red Alder, Douglas Fir, and Bigleaf Maple canopy this coastal rainforest. When we first arrived, you could hear but not see the ocean. A thick understory was selectively removed to open up ocean views for each unit, while preserving the towering trees.
To not distract from the site’s natural beauty, we borrowed planting strategies from restoration planning, focusing on diverse seed mixes, native bare root shrubs, transplanted ferns, and native pollinator gardens at the entry to units. The plant palette is 100% native to the Pacific Northwest. Pictured above and at right is a superbloom of Farewell-to-Spring, Clarkia amoena, in the hotel’s first year.
With much of the site at 30-60% slopes, the design team sought to minimize disturbance by placing the cabins and domes into the hillside along a ATV / walking path. Each cabin and dome is oriented towards ocean views with private outdoor space and a fire pit. Outdoor furniture coordinated with interior designer, Max Humphrey.
During site development, three large Sitka trees were downed. The wood from the trees was milled and processed by Studio Campo for use as site furniture, custom bollards for the units, and long-term as countertops and tables for the clubhouse.
Two Capes is an unconventional hospitality project, developed by a group of friends who feel in love with this forested parcel and wanted to share it with others. Much of the friend group is part of the Polish American community in Portland. As such, we worked to integrate Eastern Europe aesthetics and vendors throughout the project as well as local materials and small businesses. The mirrored cabins are from Estonia with custom gabion cladding from a local basalt quarry.
The name, Two Capes Lookout, refers to two geological marvels of the Oregon Coast: Cape Kiwanda to the South and Cape Lookout to the North. Both are visible from various vistas at the resort. Pictured here in Cape Lookout from one of the dome units.
Milling and lumber processing lead by the Studio Campo team. Pictured above are yakasugi stump stools as side tables in the dome units.
Photos by Karolina Pora Photography