As you approach the cabin up the driveway it is as though it has its back turned on you. This coupled with the carefully designed entrance sequence creates a feeling of capture and release upon arrival. Accordingly the rammed earth wall acts as a sound buffer to any noise that may come from the freeway to the south east.
The architect has worked with the client to identify their favourite views and framed them with carefully carved cutaways. Emphasis being placed on the view to the South East, towards Parti Peak, to the East overlooking the city and Sunrise, to the West towards the sunset and due North framing the nearby Bush-land. Accordingly large sections of glass spanning from the ground to the lofted roof allow the client to feel attached to their surrounds and due to the remote location not feel exposed.
The roof design draws inspiration from Tubac House in Arizona which seems to rest upon its surrounding concrete retaining walls - In this case the copper roof appears to rest upon the rammed earth wall heightening the experience of lightness and continuing the flow of the landscape.
As a deliberate juxtaposition the architect has incorporated a play on the indoor/outdoor relationship by using refined, high end materials to dress the interior. White walls and stainless steel fittings are universal and in light of the naked earthly uniform of the exterior, this provides an intriguing conversation for the visitor.
Zoning has been used separate the public and private areas, each housed in their own building bridged by timber decking ensuring the consistency of flow within the spaces. In the building to the west, which contains the public spaces, there are no internal walls. This has been done to create a rhythm between the kitchen, living room and outdoor entertaining area and to give a sense of openness to the inhabitants. All spaces look out onto the courtyard area in accordance with the clients desire to emphasize the importance of outdoor living space.
Parti Peak Cabin is the physical response to a range of inspirations - A house as an environmental filter, A house as a container of human activities and A house as a delightful experience. It draws upon strong influences from Tubac House yet interprets them in site specific ways. Form follows location in a light and considerate design response that truly does flow on with the landscape...
