Last Updated on February 8, 2018 by teamobn
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Longbranch, WA 98351, United States – Olson Kundig
Project Year : 2003
Developed Area : 112 m2 ( 1200.0 ft2 )
Photographs : Kevin Scott, Benjamin Benschneider
In a place where the tide meets the stream, a quiet structure sits quietly, proudly displaying the combined beauty of the remnants of the past and the promise of the future. Nestled amidst tall fir trees is a cabin that have undergone numerous renovations but has retained the changes made in the past.
The area around the house remain untouched – towering trees, tall plants, wild bushes are left to grow on their own, an ode to the architect’s respect for the beauty of Puget Sound and its surroundings.
The place is homey and it looks lived-in, perfect for family gatherings or a solo escape to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Architect’s Notes:
Jim Olson’s reverence for nature and admiration of the site’s beauty is expressed in the design of this project located on Puget Sound and nestled amidst the towering fir trees of an ancient forest. What began as a 14-foot-square bunk house built in 1959 has morphed through subsequent remodels in 1981, 1997, 2003 and 2014 into a modest yet highly livable weekend retreat. Each successive addition and remodel has reused and integrated the previous structure rather than erasing it to reveal the cabin’s architectural history.
At the age of eighteen, Olson began work on a bunkhouse for his family in Longbranch. Since then, he has continued to expand the small structure into both a private retreat and a touch point for his work worldwide.
The cabin is intentionally subdued in color and texture, allowing the lush natural surroundings to take precedence. Simple, readily available materials are used throughout: wood-framed walls are sheathed in plywood both inside and out; doubled pairs of steel columns support glulam beams that, in turn, support an exposed roof structure; and interior fir flooring becomes outdoor decking with additional spacing.
The rooms themselves are essentially a set of boxes set underneath a unifying roof; together, they create a single form that is grounded onto the hillside and projects out over the landscape. The living room’s large 11’ x 13’ window not only frames the view of the adjoining meadow and Puget Sound but visually blends the indoors and outdoors.
Strategically placed sliding doors, windows and a domed skylight over the bed provide constant contact with nature. The design accommodates three mature trees that have been allowed to grow through openings in the deck, one of which exits through an opening in the roof.
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Exterior Views :
Interior View :
Drawing View :
Did you like this cabin? If you did, you’ll like this Trunk House, too.
