Process
The design brief stated the cabin must have:
The design brief stated the cabin must have:
- A space for living;
- A space for working;
- A space for reflecting;
- A space for dining;
- A space for preparing meals;
- A space for sleeping; and
- A space for abluting.
I began by analysing the relationships between these spaces; which should be next to each other, while maintaining a distinct line between public and private.
These special relationships began to form the shape and layout of the cabin.
The resulting design was a cabin focused mostly to the North and to the East. Public and private spaces were clearly defined, with a physical barrier between the studio and the rest of the cabin. Privacy of the bedroom is achieved by a change in level, and privacy in the kitchen by a step down. This step also works to create uninterrupted views from the lounge to the golf course by lowering the kitchen.
The main focus of the house is the reflection space in the centre, which is essentially a courtyard with a wall missing. I felt Kulgun park should feel like a part of the cabin, and should not be blocked off. Activities in the lounge and dining room and the architect's studio can spill out into this courtyard, and indeed the park. The dining room table could be dragged into the middle of this space during a gathering, or the architect's desk during a business meeting. To increase privacy during this time (keeping clients out of the living room, and guests out of the studio), closable full-height shutters can be pulled across either side of the courtyard. A similar layout is used in the upstairs bedroom, with focus in the same direction, and a similar closable shutter.
The main focus of the house is the reflection space in the centre, which is essentially a courtyard with a wall missing. I felt Kulgun park should feel like a part of the cabin, and should not be blocked off. Activities in the lounge and dining room and the architect's studio can spill out into this courtyard, and indeed the park. The dining room table could be dragged into the middle of this space during a gathering, or the architect's desk during a business meeting. To increase privacy during this time (keeping clients out of the living room, and guests out of the studio), closable full-height shutters can be pulled across either side of the courtyard. A similar layout is used in the upstairs bedroom, with focus in the same direction, and a similar closable shutter.
While view to the North and East is emphasised, view to the South and West is not, with infrequent openings on the South wall.
However, I soon realised that this design far exceeded the limit for enclosed space, and indeed, far too much space was contained (152m^2. Exactly twice the limit). I began to rethink this design and look at the design brief in a different way. I stripped the house of what was not essential, now realising that for human activity to occur, a physical container may not be essential. In this pristine location, possibly the best environmental filter is not one at all.
