PART C :: APPLICATION THROUGH CABIN DESIGN - TK CABIN

Despite its compact, minimalist design, TK Cabin heightens the awareness one has with the immediate landscape.

Entering from a narrow passage behind the cabin, visitors must step up and 'manoeuvre' through overlaid walls. On oneside a standard height facade, on the other a double height external wall. A rush of air compels a quicker pace and as you step out from this corridor a calm and expansive space explodes before you, permeating the entire lateral section of the building. A vast roof floating overhead is thrust over the pavillion decking. While glass bi-fold doors are spread apart to reveal dining and work areas with light streamming in through the glazed panels on their front facade. A subtle staircase tucked to oneside - unassuming and mysterious disappears up behind the building, willing a journey yet cautioning privacy. Moving along the timber decking the space spills out into the landscape, the transition is almost unnoticable, as if by the time you reach the waters edge you failed to realise you'd even left the dwelling. Beyond the lake mountain peaks stretch across the horizon and yet standing on the pavillion a cool breeze rolls though, carrying with it the faint scent of palm and jacarranda.

TECHNICAL DRAWINGS

External Perspectives

Internal Vignettes

FIRMNESS, COMMODITY AND DELIGHT

FIRMNESS - A HOUSE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL FILTER
The prominent aspects of logical design within my cabin include:
- An emphasis on open plan living, all major living spaces utilised repeartedly during the day can be completely opened to the central pavillion.
- A natural and unimpedded transition to the surroundings, instinctively the space spills down the last few levels out into the open
- Subtle proportions of the site are translated through the design
- The tiered roofline a nod to mountain peaks along the horizon, rising and falling in sync, tying the view to the building
- Heavy set walls on the West and East facades protect the building from harsh summer sun and act as a thermal mass, containing heat in winter and keeping the internal temperature down in summer
- A North East orientation, maximises the exposure to winter sun allows for the greatest penetration of morning light
- Openable and fixed glazing can be angled to catch the dominant winds and direct air flow through the building
- A ribbon of glazing runs around the roof line of the two building allowing in additional light.

Exploring the general passive design considerations and contextual influences on the site and design.

SITE CONSIDERATIONS AND DESIGN RESPONSE




COMMODITY - A HOUSE AS AN CONTAINER OF HUMAN ACTIVITY
The main aspects of spatial design within my cabin include:
- A strong emshasis on movement and transition
- A central living space, that is essentially the core to all movement within the cabin, it is the link between all the seperate spaces, re-affirming that connection with the open surrounds each time the occupant passes through
- An obvious disassociation between the work and bedroom spaces, the transition is evident, 'going to work' and 'leaving work'
- A bedroom retreat, physically removing oneself from the lateral flow
- Multi-functional 'pockets', adaptable areas that are changeable, the main dining table can serve as a semi-formal meeting table with the addition of more chairs, the lounge and table in the studio can be used for informal meeting or reflection.


Exploring spatial relationships and transition

SPACE ORGANISATION AND CONNECTIONS




DELIGHT - A HOUSE AS A DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE
The main aspects of formal design within my cabin include:
- A strong and lingering entry, the entrance is situated on the East side and offers no insight into the living conditions of the cabin.
- Quick air flow through the passage and a step up onto the pavillion re-affirm the notion of a journey into the space and these 'unpleasent' conditions mean that the central living space seems calm and enclosing, almost more at peace. Its a juxtaposition, one which intensifies the experience entering this open area
- Obvious intention to bring the outside in, a completely open and well ventilated cabin means that the scents and sounds from the landscape easily permeate the internal spaces
- Simple, local materials, raw and unfinished, concrete blocks and timber decking.


A general represenation of sensory exerience and materiality

THE DESIGN PARTI


FORMAL DIAGRAMS - LOUIS KAHN'S FAMOUS 10 LINES OF ARHITECTURAL INTENTION

INITIAL DESIGN CONCEPTION

The main considerations of design Tom Kundig instilled in his work encompassed a dramatic transition between the entry and receiving spaces, a heavy exploitation of views and surroundings and an inherant and unassuming connection with the landscape. These are the main notions which I will endevour to translate into my own design

Exploring orientation and the layout of spaces. Quick and mess.

Further exploiting form and 3D spaces.

Initial design concepts

SITE SELECTION AND PLAN

My site selection, located at the entrance to Urban Utopia on Datum Drive, between the Generic Gardens and Specific Stream

General Context - Entire Area - The black dot marks my choosen location within this region



Section and Elevation views of the site, with the cabins inserted



Rough Analysis of Selected Site



Site Contextual Consideration - Wind roses for Brisbane, sub-tropical climate, Winter and Summer, morning and afternoon
Australian Government: Bureau of Meterorology. (2010). Wind Roses. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from, http://reg.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/wind/selection_map.shtml.

Site Contextual Consideration - Sun path diagram for Brisbane, sub-tropical climate
Department of Public Works. (2006). Retrieved March 17, 2010 from, http://www.works.qld.gov.au/tdd/enviro_builf/ss_house/ssh_tools/orien_tips/bestpath9.asp

PART B :: ANALYSIS OF EXEMPLAR HOUSE - Tom Kundig, Chicken Point Cabin

TECHNICAL DRAWINGS FOR CHICKEN POINT CABIN







INITIAL ANALYSIS OF THE CABIN




Contextual Information, wind roses for Hayden Lake, Idaho, Summer and Winter


FIRMNESS - A HOUSE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL FILTER
Aspects of the Chicken Point Cabin Design which encompass this notion include;
- A 'little house, big window' mentality. Completely opening the house up to the view
- The orientation of the cabin, positoned to take advantage of the views and optimal winter sunlight
- A pitched roof, to allow in additional light
- Highly insulated glazing on the front windows
- Ribbon windows running around the roof line, to allow in additional light and provide views to the sky
- Thick, heavy set walls which act as thermal mass
- The pivoting 'window', which allows for good ventilation, especially in the warm and stuffy summer months
- Maximum advantage has been taken of the view
- Surrounding proportions carried through the design, namely the main entrance door.

SITE CONDITION - DESIGN RESPONSE DIAGRAMS




COMMODITY - A HOUSE AS A CONTAINER OF HUMAN ACTIVITY
Aspects of the cabin which encompass this notion include;
- Emphasis on the journey, a transitional sequence from the entrance to the main living space
- Partial connections between private and public spaces, occupants are offered a glimpse of private areas
- Multi-functional room, the main living space. The heart of the house. Central locale for the family occupants
- The owners wanted to live open to the lakeside and use the cabin all year round, both requests have been factored into the design and accomplished
- The cabin accomodates all family memember, a child's strength can even pivot the six ton steel window.

SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT AND TRANSITION


SEQUENCING AND TRANSITION


DELIGHT - A HOUSE AS A DELIGHTFUL EXERIENCE
Aspects of the cabin which encompass this notion include;
- The materiality of the house, predominantly natural materials have been used and in most cases left unfinished as to acquire a natural patina.
- The open plan notion of this design means that the scents and sounds of the surrounding landscape would permeate much of the space, particularly the scent of pine
- The cabin has almost a physical connection with nature, the unfinished walls and bare concrete floors would be cold under feet, grounded the user to the location, reminding them of their poistion in the landscape
- Unadorned walls, mean that the structure inadvertantly becomes art in the space
- There is no disconnection between the materials, the idea and the function of the building
- The entry sequence is a series of deliberate design choices to heighten the experience and engage the users emotion
- The house exhibits 'second glance' architecture, it gives more to you, the longer you are there, connections which become evident only with time, for example the form of the sink and fireplace.

THE DESIGN PARTI


FORMAL DIAGRAMS - LOUIS KAHN'S FAMOUS 10 LINES OF ARHITECTURAL INTENTION


SPATIAL EXPERIENCE
Chicken Point Cabin although considerable small and compact, has a highly choreographed entry sequence, the journey in a sense cresendos. Initally, you are greeted by a nineteen foot metal door, proportioned to compliment the surrounding pine trees. Passing through this surreal entrance, a floating staricase then draws your attention; leading to the second floor loft, it serves a dual function. It screens the kitchen and dining space and offers a glimpse into private areas of the house.

Kundig (2010), remarked that, "with a cabin, you can almost play games like for example by placing the most public entry on centre with private areas of the house". A contradiction to conventional planning. He goes on to further explain, that cabins are "sort of stripping away the cultural articles that sometimes a house means inside the city. They're almost primitive in a sense, in the way of meeting primal needs".

This hovering 'bridge' is an extension of the plywood sleeping loft which has been inserted into the main living space and acts as a retreat away from the central family area.

Following the entry you're constricted to a narrow, bare floored passage, before the space explodes into a double height living area. The heart of the house.

The immediate facade a huge steel and glass window, pivots with minimal force to provide an uninterupted view of the landscape and direct access to the lake. A fireplace central to this space makes for a peaceful and encompassing atmosphere. Again Kundig (2010), sums up that, "a house isn't just about windows and doors, but windows and doors that make you feel something."

Dung, N., Kundig, T. (2006). Tom Kundig: houses. New York: Princeton Architectual Press.
Kundig, T. (2010).Tom Kundig. Int. J. Murdock. Retrieved March 5, 2010 from, http://archrecord.construction.com/features/interviews/0708TomKundig/0708TomKundig-1.asp.
Olson Kundig Architects. (2010). Chicken Point Cabin. Photos by Benjamin Benschneider. Retrieved 5 March, 2010, from http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/Projects/101/Chicken-Point-Cabin.
Riegal, R. (2004, May 7) Architect Tom Kundig brings creativity, open mind to projects. Daily Journal of Commerce, p. 1.

PART A :: ARCHETYPE RESEARCH - International Exemplar - Chicken Point Cabin

The only concrete direction given to architect Tom Kundig was to make the house as open to the lake as possible. He responded literally, with his design encompassing a large pivoting "picture" window that physically opens up the cabin to he landscape and lakeside.

The outcome is a lakeside cabin that is user-friendly all year round, which takes full advantage of views and passive design considerations.

The entry sequence is highly choreographed and has a dramatic effect, stepping from the entry passage visitors are thrust into the main living space.

The front door is unusually tall, a deliberate decision to make it proportional to surrounding trees.

The "gizmo" mechanism that tilts the vast glass wall is unique in that it can be operated with only minimal exertion. Meaning that a child can open the six ton steel window, a feat in itself, but also a consideration to accomodate the owners. Kundig (2010) remarks, "it's primal, to make something that makes you stop and think, even momentarily about how something moves or changes direction, it connects us intimately to the natural forces in our world".

Olson Kundig Architects. (2010). Chicken Point Cabin. Photos by Benjamin Benschneider. Retrieved 5 March, 2010, from http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/Projects/101/Chicken-Point-Cabin.
Kundig, T. (Speaker)(2010). Spotlight on Design: Tom Kundig (streaming video recording). Retrieved March 5, 2010, from http://vimeo.com/9814966.