Olson Kundig | GIZMODO.cz

Situated in one of Seattle’s most established residential areas is the ‘City Cabin’. Jim Olson, the co-founder of the acclaimed architecture studio Olson Kundig, designed this urban retreat for a longtime friend who absolutely adored his cabin in Puget Sound. Jim had been working on this cabin since he was 18 years old, and she insisted that it should be the inspiration behind her upcoming home. She also wanted to capture the unfettered and gorgeous forested feel that lingered within and around the home.”The client wanted to feel like she was living in the wilderness when, in fact, her home is on a regular-size urban neighborhood lot,” Jim said. And, City Cabin is a true reflection of that!

The 2400 square-foot home is placed around a central gathering space, from which two wings harmoniously extend. One wing houses the master suite, whereas the other wing includes the guest room and storage spaces. The central space can be defined as the heart of the home, and it consists of an open-plan living room, a kitchen, and a dining area. A 16-foot-tall ceiling and full-height windows providing exquisite views of the surrounding garden serve as the star features of the space.

The home was strategically placed on a northwest corner in an urban lot, hence allowing the south and east sides to be completely utilized as gardens. The gardens were filled up with mature trees, creating the impression of “urban wilderness”, which was one of the client’s main visions for the home.

The interiors draw inspiration from the client’s extensive collection of Native American art. The red cedar and ochre colors in the collection inspired the architects to add a custom red hue to the concrete floors. Natural, unstained plywood walls and ceilings, and a general use of timber in the home add to the Native American aesthetic.

Sustainability and environmental conservation were quite important to the client, hence the home was built from reclaimed materials, and amped with an 8.4-kW photovoltaic array, an air-to-water heat pump, a sedum green roof, low-energy appliances, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. Passive solar strategies were also employed.

City Cabin is a rare one-of-a-kind cabin nestled in a bustling city while making you feel as if you’re living in the forest! It’s the true definition of ‘urban wilderness’, and a testament to the fact that you can remain connected to nature even while residing in the city.

Designer: Jim Olson of Olson Kundig

The post A net-zero energy cabin is designed to bring the wilderness experience to city living first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nestled within the mountainous terrain of Stowe, Vermont, a town known for its ski slopes and trails, is the Vermont Cabin. Built by Olson Kundig, the Vermont Cabin is a compact little home for a family that has owned property in this snowy region for generations. Occupying a humble space of 750-square-foot, Kundig designed the Vermont Cabin, keeping in mind that “The client brief called for a small, straightforward family cabin in the tradition of the Vermont cabins they grew up with.”

Surrounded by white pines and maples, the intimate home has been divided into three levels. The lowest level is settled comfortably within the site, and contains a garage that also doubles up as a fun game room! A single bedroom and a powder room are also included in this level. The middle storey consists of the main entry, two small bedrooms, and a bathroom. Whereas, the topmost level is essentially one large living area. This upper level provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, such as the Green Mountains to the west, and the Worcester Range to the east. A steel and maple hardwood staircase connects all three levels. Both inside and outside the cabin, durable materials were used, which were in turn left in their raw state! The unfinished work can be seen in the weathering steel external siding and the exposed timber ceilings, which create an intriguing effect. The entire cabin has been built using simple and raw materials, that subtly draw inspiration from the unfettered wilderness surrounding the site. This is exemplified by the poured and cast concrete elements present in the kitchen and the bathrooms, as well as the extensive use of steel and wood in the construction of the cabin.

Kundig’s goal was to create “a very special place that took inspiration from the landscape”. And which he did quite successfully! The Vermont Cabin is a humble and economical abode with a raw essence and straightforward execution. It radiates warmth and homeliness in the otherwise cold and chilly landscape of Stowe. It’s a family cabin through and through, where loved ones can meet, connect, and make cozy memories!

Designer: Olson Kundig