Application of Analysis

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.