Cabin Design - Explanation

Architects Cabin

The cabin design took concepts and ideas from Arkhefields Balaam house, and applied them on a much smaller scale, for clients with quiet different needs, and a site facing almost the complete opposite direction. Despite these differences, the influences of the Balaam house can be seen throughout the design.

With the client only needing spaces for; living, working, reflecting, dining, preparing meals and sleeping combined in a cabin of maximum 75 square metres the design has stayed fairly simple.

Whilst unlike the Balaam house, the cabin had a relatively un-interrupted site location, with the river on the northern side as opposed to the southern. This left the north and east areas free to be fully utilized.

Due to the North-Eastern façade being deemed the most desirable, the public spaces were located here. Walking through the entrance, views over the river can be seen immediately, with all public spaces in an open plan in front and to the right, whilst the private spaces have been clearly separated to the western side, and with the studio above the entrance.

The plan is designed to direct flow through the entrance out into the public areas, as the rooms open up and views of the river are a prominent feature. Rendered concrete and ageing timber were used in a similar style to the Balaam house and provide a nice contrast.

The inlet of grass between the studio surrounded by glass, combined with the water feature under the staircase aims to enhance the effect of an indoor/outdoor area when the doors are open.

A skylight is used where the ceiling height drops down from the public to private spaces to ensure natural lighting exists as much as possible, both in the morning from the East, and in the afternoon from the west. This skylight also acts as a louver to provide ventilation as the hot air can escape, naturally cooling the cabin. Louvers are also evident on the southern face on each wall. With large openings on the north out over the river, this provides a controllable degree of cross-ventilation, removing the need for air-conditioning.