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.