The backwoods cabin blends into the white pine forest on a ridge, facing the South. Slightly off the ground, on six point supports, it fits in the direction of the slope and topography; the multifaceted roof offers a south-facing surface. The visitor discovers the shrine at the bend of the path, the dynamics of inclined surfaces of the facades leads to the viewpoint. These are led by clapboard wood, reminiscent of verticality and rhythm of tree trunks in the forest. The cabin shows two levels of reading, far and near, the façade appears to be continuous and then singular elements stand out. As in the dense forest, consisted of first-unexpected trunks. The cabin offers a slim profile for a more effective immersion in nature. The triangulated roof is seemingly complex, but is the sum intentions, a slope down to the south, of varying degrees on the East and West sides, a slender and dynamic elevation, and different uses inside.
Inside, the result is a tangle of beams composing the ceiling, to suggest a set of branches. The inside atmosphere completely immersed the visitor in the environment around him: The south-facing bay window is fully open on the forest and allows the light to spread in the home. In addition, all the used materials are wood elements premises. The non-partitioned 174 sq. ft. surface hints three spaces. The bed in the mezzanine, accessible by a ladder, the office space down to the entrance area near the cabinet and storage, and finally, a step goes down to the living space around the woodstove, near the daylight, to observe nature.
The balloon frame structure allows the use of wood studs (here a section of 2" by 6"), which can easily be found in shops. Between each stud, a 15 inch fiberglass insulation provides adequate protection. We paid particular attention to the economy of means, using only local and inexpensive materials. (The only luxurious element is the glass of the window, we wanted it in one piece, but I can be divided into several pieces, which would reduce the budget by $1000). Solar panels may be installed on the roof top.
(Competitor's text)
From the Judges:
"The Marlice entry is a very elegant cabin. The designers paid particular attention to both it's constructability and cost. It has an elegant form and would fit in quite nicely in the landscape. It's interior layout is also well thought out and will be comfortable for its inhabitants."
Craig Applegath, Architect, PPOAA, AAA, Architect AIBC, NSAA, FRAIC, LEED® AP
(From jury report)
8 scanned / 6 viewable
- Perspective
- Site Plan
- Section
- Elevation
- Plan
- Axonometric Drawing
