There is something poetic seeing a temporary settlement on Powder Mountain made up from simple white tents. A tent is a basic structure, a thin cloth pitched to create a habitable space and offer basic protection from the weather. The whole architecture of the tent is integrated within that thin cloth and it gives the whole structure a lightness and unmistakable pure functional appeal.
The architecture of this proposal is based on a notion that a tent like feeling should be preserved while making a permanent habitable structure. To emphasize the lightness of the structure, a thin skin (1.5' thick) made from cross laminated wooden prefabricated panels is being folded over several times to crate interior space of the cabin. The missing sides, leftovers from the folding process are covered by large glass walls. In contrary to the lightness of the folded skin, a typical American vernacular element, a stone chimney set on the side of the building, is being reinterpreted as a support for the whole structure that is lifted from the ground. On one side the cabin leans form a deck and on the other it is supported by the chimney. The monolith quality of the chimney and the deck give the cabin a sense of permanency that tents lack.
The resulting structure is reinterpretation of the traditional American frontier cabin and minimalistic structure of a tent. The “wooden tents” as one may call them serve as fully functional habitable structures, yet they don’t create an urban/suburban settlement on Powder Mountain, therefore the essence of the natural surrounding is preserved.
The concept allows for a multiple cabin sizes to be developed within the concept frame. From a simple one bedroom structure to a large three or four bedroom luxury cabins. Even customizations are welcomed, from floor plan changes to a material choice for the facade. In all, the wish is to avoid a »cookie cutter« community yet preserve a singular concept throughout.
Sustainability is achieved on two fronts:
By design, cabins don’t require large earth excavations. All the supporting elements (a chimney and a deck) have small footprint and require minimal foundations. The elevated structure suggests a notion of living in nature rather than creating your own piece of paradise. In this way a natural element are preserved.
By technology, the cabin structure is made from cross laminated panels with fully integrated plumbing and electrical connections. On the structure itself a thick layer of insulation is installed and covered by various façade options. The heat pump and other technical machinery are housed within the “chimney” structure. Large glass walls allow sun energy to enter the cabin and heat the interior. The glass walls are made from triple glazed glass panels to insure maximum insulation level. The rain water is collected on the sloping roof structure and stored in the tanks placed under the deck.
The intention is for cabins to be certified with European passive house standard and American LEED standard.
Material Used :
1. Cross laminated timber structure
2. Cedar cladding facade
3. Wood shingle facade
4. painted red board facade
