Cabin Design Explained

My Cabin

My cabin takes inspiration from The Issaacson Davis House house design by John Wardle. I have situated my cabin close by to the 'specific stream'. I have located my cabin design here as i want my cabin to have the same beach house feel and essence to it as the Isaacson Davis House.

• The entry is located to the back of the building, away from the stream and facing the street
• I have made my entrance so that you approach the house on a decked walkway with low-lying bushes lining the entrance to give a sense of calm and relaxation.
• The front of my cabin doesn't give much insight into the full essence of my building as this is the approach i tried to take. I wanted the building to be somewhat simple at the front with rendered concrete walls with minimal use of timber.
• As you enter the house through the two large timber doors 3 horizontally structured windows greet the inhabitants, looking out to the decking area although not immediately giving entrance to the deck. The horizontally positioned windows not only give a good filter of sun light but give the inhabitants an immediate sense of relaxation by getting a glimpse of the view, even though only small.
• To the left of this hallway it opens out to the living room and kitchen. Shelves of books line the left of this hallway to give a homely feel.
• As you enter the lounge a corner lounge is positioned in front of a large flat screen monitor. This monitor is situated in the far left corner of the room in which two large windows a station to the right of this. As you look out through these windows large slatted timber beams stretch either side of the window with a slight amount of light being allowed to enter, but just enough to let light up the room sufficiently.
  
• Moving through the living room light is filtered from the ceiling in which a open ceiling about 3x2m extends above the normal 3m roofline. This added feature allows natural sunlight to filter through the room and gives a sense of warmth and a feel for the outside climate.
• Moving into the kitchen a large double door is situated on the right hand side opening out onto the deck. Another door is situated directly in front, next to the kitchen opening out onto the decks balcony, over looking the yard and river.
• The kitchen is of moderate size with sufficient space for 2. The bench tops and cupboards are made from local timber with 2 feature walls being applied on 2 of the bench tops to add to bright sunlit surroundings.
• The floorboards throughout the cabin are made from Victorian Ash similar to that of the Isaacson Davis House and give off the warmth and softness that makes the inhabitant feel comfortable.
• Opening the large double doors out on the Jarrah deck a warm fresh summer breeze sweeps off the river and greets the inhabitant.
• When outside it can be seen that exterior walls resemble an 'outer shell' similar to that of the Isaacson Davis House. A raw natural feel is given off by the timber 'shell' that layers perfectly over the soft interior walls, with a slight over hang that provides shelter from the elements.
• The wall to the right where the 3 horizontal windows are situated is made from recycled timber pieces and gives a added 'feel to the place as a feature wall.
• Looking out over the decks balcony it can be seen that the cabin is raised on 1m pillars to not only give a better view and to feel as though you are up high with the trees lining the deck, but to allow air to circulate beneath the cabin and thus naturally cool the cabin through the timber floorboards.
• Moving off to the right of the building another 2 double doors greet you on adjacent sides. As you enter through one of these doors you come to the master bedroom.
• Within this master bedroom it can be seen that much light is let in through these double doors. This being so during the morning with the cabin being design and situated so that the bedroom filters through the rising morning sun, while the living room and kitchen inversely takes in the setting sun.
• Moving through the bedroom it can be seen that a study extrudes of to the left of the cabin. Within this study two shelves line the right wall, containing various work books, to the front a large architectural drafting board and PC are set up for work, study and play. A large window is located directly above the work desk, over looking the trees and nature outside. This study is an ideal place to escape and complete work and just when you need some time to yourself.
  
• Moving back through the bedroom and out through the single door to the right of the bedside table, the inhabitant is back into the hallway in which they first entered.
  
• To the left is the bathroom. Moving into the bathroom the you are greeted by another 3 large horizontal panels stretching the far length of the bathroom. Although these windows may seem like they may attract unwanted attention, but this is not the care. These windows are lined with trees and bushes for privacy but not too many to allow light to again filter natural light in. The bathroom is fitted with a spa bath, separate shower, toilet and vanity.

All in all i have designed my cabin carefully to incorporate various key aspects which make the John Wardle designed, Isaacson Davis House. These key elements include a 'binuclear' design in which private and public spaces are at different sides of the house, incorporating long horizontal windows to filter sunlight in without being too harsh, an 'outer shell' to not only blend in with the natural environment but to also give the inhabitants a sense of safety, security and comfort.

I have incorporated a large decking design over looking a great view to give the user another place of relaxation or for entertaining. Although i have incorporated many aspects of the Isaacson Davis House into my cabin i have also incorporate several other aspects in which i think heighten the users experience with the cabin. These elements include the opened ceiling in which more light can be filtered in, as well as the addition of the extruded study.

I have managed to keep my cabin under 75 square metres and i believe my design is but environmentally efficient, user friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

Enjoy :)