A Custom Pre-fabricated Tiny Cabin in Shou Sugi-Ban
The Manzanita Cabin
A thoughtfully designed, sustainably constructed tiny piece of architecture nestled into the coastal mountain range of San Luis Obispo County.
The design of this tiny cabin was entirely influenced by the need to maintain the requirements for an unpermitted auxiliary structure. In light of these constraints, we were able to question the proportionality of the space, its intended use function, and what the site was naturally affording.
We decided on a narrow rectangular form which created a more usable format for the interior as opposed to the traditional square footprints for these types of structures.
This Central Coast Tiny Cabin
is situated delicately on a sloped site. The brief for this project called for a unique architectural experience with the most minimal impact on the landscape without altering viewsheds.
We decided on a more difficult sloped site for this project to optimize southern exposure as well as to open the possibility to tuck this tiny cabin into a more secluded section of the property.
The slope combined with a field of mature manzanitas afforded the design of this project to tuck neatly into the landscape, integrated and hidden from view while intervening on the landscape with only six small footings.
The materiality for the Manzanita Tiny Cabin was quite adventurous.
The clients for this project were very open to creating a unique yet minimal material experience and so we chose a dark raw palette for the exterior while keeping a light warm interior feeling.
The exterior is clad in the traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique of charred cedar. This finish is both very integrative in how it adapts to the landscape but also is superior in terms of waterproofing and insect repelling.
Around the doors and windows and steel shadow boxes that are quite nice additions to the texture and depth of the facade as well as functional shading devices for the intense summer sun.
The Manzanita Tiny Cabin
was entirely pre-fabricated off-site to maximize the efficiency of material, the quality of construction, and the ease of client experience. The entire structure was composed of 13 modular panels that were installed on site in a fraction of the time as compared to on-site.
This is the beauty of pre-fabricated construction, which allows space for the builders to optimize their process as well as giving the client the hassle-free experience of having crews on site day in and day out for months.
Pre-fabricated Tiny Cabins are Special
They allow space for the celebration of little details that are just not always available in standard building practices.
Overall, I am very pleased with not only the outcome of this project but also the entire process at large. Great clients are the pre-requisite to great architecture, and these clients were amazing in their communication, trust, and openness to experiment. (They also gave us fresh farm eggs and produce regularly which may or may not have affected positive morale!)
I love designing and building custom pre-fabricated tiny cabins.
IF you are too, and ready for one of your own, give me a call at the number below.
Cheers,
kev