Cabin Design: House as an Environmental Filter
The Cabin Design for Tom Kundig is an envrionmental filter much like Chicken Point Cabin. The large window at the rear of the Cabin, frames the environment of the site - that is frames everything this design represents; water, calm, peaceful. As well as this, the window distorts the line between the indoors and outdoors much like Chicken Point Cabin.
The materials are simple and untreated as Tom Kundig's Chicken Point Cabin. Light enters through the large window at the rear of the Cabin mainly, and will have the most natural light in the afternoons. Natural light will also reflect off the water and into the Cabin also. The ventelation is to come through the doors that are positioned at the rear of the house under the large window. Most of the wind will come from the water much like it did at Chicken Point Cabin. Noise from the neighbours will only really be generated by the neighbours to the left, St Lucia house, not the other side as there is dense forestry between the two houses.
The main qualities of environmental filtering that this Cabin has, which has been carried on from Chicken Point Cabin, is taking advantage of the site and framing the best views, as well distorting the line of where the indoors starts and where the outdoors finish. Distorting this line between the two environments is something that Tom Kundig wanted to achieve in his design, of feeling immersed in the natural environment. He enhanced this even more by using materials that were able to age naturally, and these are some very specific qualities that have been replecated in this Cabin.
Cabin Design: House as a Container of Human Activity
This Cabin design draws largely on circulation and zoning from Chicken Point Cabin. While it is generally a large open space, particularly ground level, the room has been divided subtley, by simple half walls and cornering. This also assists with the circulation of the design. People are able to move freely and often be guided through the Cabin.
Space has been used efficiently and planned so as there is just the right sized room/area for its' purpose. This means that humble spaces, such as the space for reflection isn't overly sized, but rather small enough for a couch and a few other furnishings; just enough for someone to sit and admire the view without being daunted by high ceilings and a large space.
Public and private spaces are, much like Chicken Point Cabin, grouped together. This is for convenience and is most practical - something this Cabin represents. Ground level is mainly made up of public spaces such as living area and kitchen, while upstairs includes the bedroom, main bathroom and working area.
This Cabin is a practical and functional house and through these qualities, it encompasses everything a cabin requires to be a container of human activity.
Cabin Design: A House as a Delightful Experience
This Cabin defines a delightful experience. The most obvious reason for this would be the view that the enormous window at the rear of the house frames. Positioned on the edge of water, this Cabin looks straight over the water, much the same as Chicken Point Cabin. The access to natural light throughout most of the day, whether it be through the rear window, or the windows at the front of the Cabin, just below the ceiling.
The size of the Cabin is rather small, just under 70m2 in total, and is positioned on a block of land just over one acre in size. Like Chicken Point Cabin, it is surrounded by desnse forestry, adding a humbling effect to the Cabin and the delightful experience. The use of minimal materials and the fact that they have been left untreated, adds to the feeling of being in the natural environment inside the house- a sense of total immersion in the environment and site.
Access to the Cabin is from the west and requires a journey through the large trees, adding a sense of mystery and intrigue - a delightful experience already. To the east of the house is Chicken Point Cabin and will nessessarily not be affected by noise from this house. On the other side, St Lucia is a very small block and will be the only real source of noise for this house; a peaceful, quiet site, for a delightful experience.
From the views to the humbleness of the house compared to its' site, this Cabin has all the qualities to create a delightful experience for anyone who encounters it.
24.3.10
Axonometric
Application of Analysis
Site Plan
I have decided to place my site at Fibonacci Falls as I want it to be near the water. This is because Chicken Point Cabin was located on the water and the Cabin Design has a similar feel and environment.
Access and Noise Diagram for Site
Sun Path and Natural Light Diagram for site
Wind and Ventelation Diagram for Site
I have decided to place my site at Fibonacci Falls as I want it to be near the water. This is because Chicken Point Cabin was located on the water and the Cabin Design has a similar feel and environment.
Access and Noise Diagram for Site
Sun Path and Natural Light Diagram for site
Wind and Ventelation Diagram for Site Application of Analysis
Diagramming
The diagramming helped plan for the Architect's Cabin. It enabled me to decide where to put each space, how to relate it to Chicken Point Cabin and how to design the Cabin for Kundig, with response to his design of Chicken Point Cabin.
Wind and Ventelation Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Access and Noise Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Sun Path and Natural Light Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Bubble and Adjacency Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Zoning Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Commodity
Delight
Bubble and Adjacency Diagram for Cabin Design
Zoning Diagram for Cabin Design
Firmness
The diagramming helped plan for the Architect's Cabin. It enabled me to decide where to put each space, how to relate it to Chicken Point Cabin and how to design the Cabin for Kundig, with response to his design of Chicken Point Cabin.
Wind and Ventelation Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Access and Noise Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Sun Path and Natural Light Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Bubble and Adjacency Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin 
Zoning Diagram for Chicken Point Cabin
Firmness
Commodity
Delight
Bubble and Adjacency Diagram for Cabin Design Zoning Diagram for Cabin Design
Firmness
Commodity
Delight
23.3.10
Analysis of Archetype
Chicken Point Cabin: A House as an Environmental Filter
Tom Kundig has successfully produced a design that portrays an environmental filter. Kundig's Chicken Point Cabin has the ability to blur the line between what is inside and what is outside. "A huge, upward-pivoting, glass-and-metal garage-style door brings a seren water view virtually inside the living room." (Russel, 2006)
His ability to feel as though you are immersed in the natural surroundings whilst still indoors, is largely due to the enormous window. Chicken Point Cabin is well known as "little box, big window". This window also has th ability to frame the environment and the views. Chicken Point Cabin looks out and sit directly a lake. "The wall overlooking the lake rolls up 'like a bit tent flap that opens to the landscape. It's really a cabin in the woods surrounding the landscape." (Rhodes, 2004)
Materials used in this cabin were choses specifically to blend in to the natural environment. As well as this, they were left natural so as they could age naturally. As well as the enormous window at the rear of the house, the roof appears to be floating as there are windows on the outer frame, allowing more light to enter through the top. This is the result of the forest surrounding the Cabin and allows light into the house as it avoids the canopy of the surrounding forest.
Being on a large block of land, the neighbours are not generally an issue and therefore enhance the environmental filter of Chicken Point Cabin. The most important factor that contributes to Kundig's design being an environmental fliter is how this design makes the most of the surrounding environment. Taking advantage of the views, the placement to enhance this as well as the windows positioned througout the cabin to take in as much light as possible. Sound is not an issue due to the dense forest surrounding it and ventelation is obviously through the enormous opening at the rear of the cabin.
Chicken Point Cabin is an environmental filter through strategic planning and taking advantage and enhancing the already beautiful surroundings giving it a sense of place and an experience.
Chicken Point Cabin: A House as a Container of Human Activity
Tom Kundig's design of Chicken Point Cabin is a very functional design as well as clever in the spatial arangement, without creating barriers. Made up of both public and private spaces, Kundig has managed to create spaces or "rooms" within the house, alot of the time without sectioning them off with walls. Chicken Point Cabin's spaces are often separated with small objects or structures, keeping an open plan, but also creating private, reflecting spaces.
Space within Chicken Point Cabin has been used efficiently; as it is a small house, the space has been well thought out with relation to the circulation patterns and zonings of spaces. The efficient use of space also means this is a functional and practical design.
As a result of the variety of spaces, both public and private, the Cabin has the ability to cater for all peoples needs. Through clever planning, zoning and circulation have been created and spacial relationships formed. A good example of this is the kitchen and living area. These spaces are part of the main space in the house, yet what seperates them is the steel pipe fire place. Only 1.2m in diameter, this structure has the ability to seperate spaces, without feeling enclosed.
Chicken Point Cabin is seen as a container of human activity largely because of the use of space, as well as how the spaces have been created and their spatial quality.
Chicken Point Cabin: A House as a Delightful Experience
To arrive at Chicken Point Cabin, you must venture down the long drive way through pine trees taller than 19 feet; the delightful experience has already begun. Alternatively you could arrive from the water too. The breathtaking location in Idaho, USA, sets the scene for delight at Tom Kundig's Cabin.
A relatively small house, especially compared to the surrounding trees, is composed of concrete blocks, plywood and also some recycled steel. The main feature of the house, the almost 9m x 6m pivoting window, accommodates for natural lighting and ventelation. Natural light is also sourced from the perimeter of the top of the walls in the living area and kitchen, just below the ceiling.
Chicken Point Cabin is very much in isolation, creating a quiet delightful experience in any room of the house. The best view in the house is framed by the large pivoting window. The window, when open, creates gives the feeling of being almost at the waters edge.
The form of the house is humbling, due to the small size, as well as the enormous trees shading the the Cabin. Chicken Point Cabin is easily a delightful experience, not matter where you are in the house, and would make a lasting memory for anyone experiencing this Cabin.
Tom Kundig has successfully produced a design that portrays an environmental filter. Kundig's Chicken Point Cabin has the ability to blur the line between what is inside and what is outside. "A huge, upward-pivoting, glass-and-metal garage-style door brings a seren water view virtually inside the living room." (Russel, 2006)
His ability to feel as though you are immersed in the natural surroundings whilst still indoors, is largely due to the enormous window. Chicken Point Cabin is well known as "little box, big window". This window also has th ability to frame the environment and the views. Chicken Point Cabin looks out and sit directly a lake. "The wall overlooking the lake rolls up 'like a bit tent flap that opens to the landscape. It's really a cabin in the woods surrounding the landscape." (Rhodes, 2004)
Materials used in this cabin were choses specifically to blend in to the natural environment. As well as this, they were left natural so as they could age naturally. As well as the enormous window at the rear of the house, the roof appears to be floating as there are windows on the outer frame, allowing more light to enter through the top. This is the result of the forest surrounding the Cabin and allows light into the house as it avoids the canopy of the surrounding forest.
Being on a large block of land, the neighbours are not generally an issue and therefore enhance the environmental filter of Chicken Point Cabin. The most important factor that contributes to Kundig's design being an environmental fliter is how this design makes the most of the surrounding environment. Taking advantage of the views, the placement to enhance this as well as the windows positioned througout the cabin to take in as much light as possible. Sound is not an issue due to the dense forest surrounding it and ventelation is obviously through the enormous opening at the rear of the cabin.
Chicken Point Cabin is an environmental filter through strategic planning and taking advantage and enhancing the already beautiful surroundings giving it a sense of place and an experience.
Chicken Point Cabin: A House as a Container of Human Activity
Tom Kundig's design of Chicken Point Cabin is a very functional design as well as clever in the spatial arangement, without creating barriers. Made up of both public and private spaces, Kundig has managed to create spaces or "rooms" within the house, alot of the time without sectioning them off with walls. Chicken Point Cabin's spaces are often separated with small objects or structures, keeping an open plan, but also creating private, reflecting spaces.
Space within Chicken Point Cabin has been used efficiently; as it is a small house, the space has been well thought out with relation to the circulation patterns and zonings of spaces. The efficient use of space also means this is a functional and practical design.
As a result of the variety of spaces, both public and private, the Cabin has the ability to cater for all peoples needs. Through clever planning, zoning and circulation have been created and spacial relationships formed. A good example of this is the kitchen and living area. These spaces are part of the main space in the house, yet what seperates them is the steel pipe fire place. Only 1.2m in diameter, this structure has the ability to seperate spaces, without feeling enclosed.
Chicken Point Cabin is seen as a container of human activity largely because of the use of space, as well as how the spaces have been created and their spatial quality.
Chicken Point Cabin: A House as a Delightful Experience
To arrive at Chicken Point Cabin, you must venture down the long drive way through pine trees taller than 19 feet; the delightful experience has already begun. Alternatively you could arrive from the water too. The breathtaking location in Idaho, USA, sets the scene for delight at Tom Kundig's Cabin.
A relatively small house, especially compared to the surrounding trees, is composed of concrete blocks, plywood and also some recycled steel. The main feature of the house, the almost 9m x 6m pivoting window, accommodates for natural lighting and ventelation. Natural light is also sourced from the perimeter of the top of the walls in the living area and kitchen, just below the ceiling.
Chicken Point Cabin is very much in isolation, creating a quiet delightful experience in any room of the house. The best view in the house is framed by the large pivoting window. The window, when open, creates gives the feeling of being almost at the waters edge.
The form of the house is humbling, due to the small size, as well as the enormous trees shading the the Cabin. Chicken Point Cabin is easily a delightful experience, not matter where you are in the house, and would make a lasting memory for anyone experiencing this Cabin.
22.3.10
Analysis of Archetype
Chicken Point Cabin Plans
These drawings are replicas of those of Tom Kundig's. They were reproduce so as to better understand his deigns and appreciate the architecture and time that went into designing this Cabin.
Site Plan
Floor Plan
Floor Plan
Section
Elevation
AxonometricREFERENCES
Ngo. D. (2006). Tom Kundig: Houses. Princeton Architectural Press, New York.
Archetype Research: St Lucia House
St Lucia House is the home, as well as design of Elizabeth Watson Brown. Built around two mango trees and one Poinciana, this house was designed with the manipulation of light and space in mind. The design process of this house included considering living patterns as well as the environmental aspects. this consideration is what drew me to this house aong with the idea of building around the environment rather than demolishing it. 
REFERENCES
Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects (n.d.). Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://www.elizabethwatsonbrownarchitects.com.au/
Queensland Art Gallery/ Gallery of Modern Art (2008). Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/past/2008/place_makers/architects/elizabeth_watson_brown_architects
Archetype Research: Newmarket House
Newmarket House is designed by Owen and Vokes. I was inspired and intrigued by this house because of how the walls have inclosed and 'walled' the landscape. Not only is it related to the environmental factor, but also how is initiates spacial quality and movement. Once again, it blurs the line between the indoors and outdoors.
Image Source: Jon Linkins and David Sandison
Image Source: Jon Linkins and David Sandison
REFERENCES
Owen and Vokes Pty Ltd. (2005). New Market House. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=20054075
Rob Gregory. The Architectural Review. London: Sep 2009. Vol. 226, Iss. 1351; p. 44 (8 pages)
Owen and Vokes. (n.d.). Owen and Vokes. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://www.owenandvokes.com/flash_content/index.html.
Archetype Research: Chicken Point Cabin
Chicken Point Cabin is known as the little box, big window. A small cabin nestled lakeside in Northern Idaho was built in 2002 by architect Tom Kundig. It is hard to decipher which is the inside and which is the outside due to the large window/wall that opens to blur environment you are in. This is the main feature that attracted me to choose this as one of my exemplar houses.
Below is my research and brainstorming with regards to Tom Kundig's, Chicken Point Cabin.
Image Source: Benjamin Benschnieder
Below is my research and brainstorming with regards to Tom Kundig's, Chicken Point Cabin.
Image Source: Benjamin Benschnieder
Image Source: Benjamin Benschnieder
REFERENCES
Rhodes, E. (2004, January 18). Seattle's Kundig wins 2 AIA awards. Seattle Times.
Russell, J. (2006). In Washington State, Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen sets its tiny Silt Cabin amid the Methow Valley's four-season splendour. Architectural Record, 194(4), 92 - 97. Retrieved from Academic Search Elite database.
Olson Kundig Architects. (2010). Chicken Point Cabin. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/Projects/101/Chicken-Point-Cabin
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