The Tide Turns for a Trio of Prefab Pod Houses in the San Juan Islands

Getting to the remote islands off Washington State’s northernmost coast is not always smooth sailing. Just ask architect Jason F. McLennan and his wife, artist Tracy McLennan, who in 2019 found themselves stranded on San Juan Island after their century-old wooden cruiser, the Vagabond, started smoking during a family trip. "We got stuck there and were just goofing around one night, looking at property online," recalls Tracy. "We saw this bizarre, interesting place for sale."

Having bought and restored several quirky properties in Washington over the years, including a five-story tree house made partly with salvaged ship parts and a 100-year-old barracks with a horse stable that is now his office, Jason was smitten the first time he visited the "pod houses," as they are affectionately known.