PART A RESEARCH: EXEMPLAR 3 - CHICKEN POINT CABIN

Olson Kundig Architects: Chicken Point Cabin, 2003

Olson Kundig Architects
Olson Kundig Architects was first established by Jim Olson, with Rick Sunberg joining the firm as a joint owner in 1975, Tom Kundig joining as an owner in 1996, and Alan Maskin and Kirsten Murray joining the firm in 2008. [1] Since the beginning the firm has been based around some simple but effective concepts; that buildings can serve as a bridge between nature, culture and people, and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people lives. [1] The firm now has over 80 employees and has won various awards for their stand-out architecture. These awards include, but are not limited to, the 2009 Ntional AIA Architecture Firm Award, National and regional design awards from the American Institute of Architects, American Architecture Awards from Chicago Athenaeum, Jim Olson's 2007 Seattle Medal of Honor and Tom Kundig's National Design Award from the Academy of Arts and Letters. [1] Today the firm is renown for their efficient and high-quality designs and have a high standing international reputation.

House as an Environmental Filter

Chicken Point Cabin has various design elements that contribute to its sustainable design and its relationship with the environment. The location of the cabin and the way by which it takes advantage of the surrounding landscape is one of the main contributions to its environmental filter. Due to the lack of immediate neighbours, the views from the cabin are maximised, and the placement of the windows allow for maximum penetration of light and breeze. The use of materials is also a vital factor, with unfinished, low maintenance materials such as concrete block, steel, concrete floors and plywood have been used. [2] To enhance the experience of this cabin, the materials have been chosen with the intention that they would naturally age to acquire a patina that fits in with the natural setting. [3]

 

Front Facade

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House as a Delightful Experience

The original concept behind Chicken Point Cabin was to produce a design that replicated a lakeside shelter in the woods. [3] One of the main elements that creates a delightful experience in the cabin is the existence of a large window-wall that has the ability to open to the surrounding landscape. This can be seen in the image below. This glass wall is a large 30ft x 20ft and can be activated using the mechanism on the wall. [1] The materials used in the cabin also create a delightful experience and create a relationship between the interior and the landscape. [2] 

Interior View

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 House as a Container for Human Activities

The design of Chicken Point Cabin directly takes into consideration how people occupy and use the space, and how this space connects to the surrounding landscape. The owners of the cabin requested, prior to the design process, for a weekend retreat that opens up to the natural environment. Tom Kundig, the architect behind the cabins design, took this request literally and metaphorically. The result was a design concept that portrayed a tough, concrete-and-steel tent in the woods that contained a wall with the ability to lift away from the facade. [4]

References

[1] Olsen Kundig Architects. 2010. Olsen Kundig Architects, Firm History. http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/About/FirmHistory (accessed 06/03/10) 

[2] worldhousedesign.com. 2009. Chicken Point Cabin, Connecting Living Space with Forest and Lake. http://worldhousedesign.com/contemporary-house-design/chicken-point-cabin-connecting-living-space-with-forest-and-lake/ (accessed 07/03/10) 

[3]Vectro Ave. 2010. Chicken Point Cabin Olson Kundig Architects. http://vectroave.com/2010/02/architecture-chicken-point-cabin-by-olson-kundig-architects/ (accessed 04/03/10)
[4]  Hanley-Wood, Inc. 2010. Custom / 3,500 square feet or less grand: Chicken Point Cabin, Northern Idaho: Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen architects: Seattle. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTE/is_4_9/ai_n14709447/ (accessed 03/03/10)