INFINITE CABIN - Designed for the use of Shaun Lockyer (Arkhefield)
A House is an Environmental Filter
The Infinite Cabin has been designed fitting to the client's brief. It was said to absorb its surroundings through the use of public and private space. Although the site location is quite close to both neighbours and the Hierarchy Highway the clients require a very open space where indoor and outdoor have no limits.
Keeping with a sustainable design, natural materials i.e. hardwood and green features i.e. rain water tanks and solar hot water systems were included. The significant use of glass openings were important with incorporating the indoor areas with the outdoor areas. Not only were they used to take full advantage of the views but they also allowed natural lighting to flood into the space. The large glass openings completely open from floor to ceiling allowing the space to flow whilst allowing ventilation to circulate through the space.
The use of vegetation played a prominent part in the privacy value of the site. Vegetation was used to surround the entire cabin blocking noise pollution and providing privacy from surrounding neighbours and the highway whilst acting as a barrier from direct sunlight. This Eco friendly cabin absorbs nature, displaying infinite opportunities.
A House is a Container of Human Activities
The cabin comfortably provides two people with living, dining, food preparation, sleeping, working, reflecting and abluting spaces. The importance of segregation between public and private space was imperative to the client. Each activity performed in the cabin has its own space coinciding with the adjacent spaces. The entire cabin is position off a large outdoor timber deck which coexists as the living space. As each glass tilt-a-door opens the fluidity of the spaces are apparent.
A House is a Delightful Experience
Surrounded by vegetation this Eco cabin truly is one with nature. Once entering the cabin the immediate direction is through the glass openings out to the sites garden and beyond to Virtual Views.
As this cabin is used for two people the use of glass is prominent, providing a sense of openness with the companions as well as with nature. Each space can only be entered by walking down the timber deck through the glass doors positioned in the glass frontage of each space, bringing one out with nature.
The abluting space is quite conventional with a toilet, basin and robe space. The shower/spa has been set into the floor providing an open scale space. It is positioned against two glass openings allowing the user to feel amidst nature, creating a relaxed space. Detached from the main living space is the sleeping and reflecting spaces. Again with glass walls, this space is purely for sleeping and reflection. There are no interruptions with nothing but sitting and sleeping facilities set amongst the surrounding gardens.
Finally the working space has been completely segregated from the entire ground level. This was done to create a statement that work and leisure time need to be separated in everyday life. This was achieved through positioning the stairs over the garden. It is important to create a different feeling before entering this space, whether it be relaxing, reflecting and/or interactive.
