The Culled Cabin provides accomodation in a compact archetypal form composed of finger-jointed 8"x8" timber bents. Ideally, the timber for the bents could be culled from the site in the strategic pruning of the area as described in the competition brief and milled with the help of a portable sawmill. The design and structure is a direct response to the idea of a dwelling in the forest, and generally how one might make responsible use of the forest by employing thinnings as structure, finish and thermal mass. Though the joinery of each bent requires a certain level of craft, the detail is replicated for simplicity of aesthetic and assembly. Steel tie rods run through the bents, so that they may be constructed with green timbers and tightened together as they dry. Exterior faces of the timbers are charred as per the shou-sugi-ban burn treatment to increase the longevity of the wood against the elements and insects.

The end walls of the cabin are infilled with typical stud framing and clad in corrugated metal. It is because the timber bents provide all the structure and rigidity, the end walls could be infilled and clad with any material, though typical construction techniques were selected in the design for ease and cost. Opening in the end walls clad in polycarbonate panels allow light and air into the cabin. White paint on the interior end walls reflects more daylight into the space. The cabin is oriented with the long side to the south; optimal for the photovoltaic array on the roof, as well as east-west exposure on the polycarbonate panels that takes advantage of the sun's position when inhabitants are most likely to be in the cabin in morning and evening.

In reference to smart vernacular architecture in the region, a small loft provides sleeping accommodations; keeping inhabitants warm in winter while maintaining open space below for living and working in a tiny footprint. For the summer months, the door and small loft window can be opened to allow air movement, ensuring the space is comfortable year round.

(Competitor's text)

Jury Report

List of accessible documents

7 scanned / 6 viewable

Perspective
Plan
Elevation
Section
Section
Construction detail

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