Herndon Cabin - Bass Lake, California

Mountain cabins in the middle of the forest are notoriously dimly lit, shaded by the dense canopy of surrounding conifers. Why not elevate the living space four stories into the light, providing more distant downhill views over the trees? This study sets out to see how that concept might unfold.  The design consists of a 16'x16' stacked floor plate with cantilevered sections where necessary to accommodate the program, all resting on a board-formed concrete base. Glass-enclosed bridges connect the structure to a cylindrical concrete stair tower. Tapering shear walls allow each level to open up as it rises above the forest floor. Adjoining the master suite, the ensuite bathtub floats above the trees, surrounded by glass on three sides, offering an immersive experience in nature while soaking.
 

This vertical arrangement could become tiring for daily living (much like Holly Herndon’s music, in fact, if listened to for more than twenty minutes continuously), but it could serve as a fun vacation destination for a few days.

Soundtrack to project: