Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Small Space Cabin Architecture For The Masses

C3-ladder-350


It’s nice to see relevant architecture available to the masses. Very often striking architecture comes at striking prices.

I have been watching the C3 Cabin for several years. Designed by Vandeventer + Carlander Architects, the C3 was originally designed as a weekend retreat for a couple in Washington State. In 2006 it won the AIA/Sunset Magazine Merit award. The plans were later made available at a cost of $2,000.

Making plans available for mass production is a significant step for an architectural firm. Selling plans for structures carries with it considerable liabilities and expense, which are passed along in the purchase price.

So why am I talking about a several year old design? For several reasons, not the least of which is a price drop of the plans to $850. This is a fantastic price for an award winning design.

The cabin is a perfect illustration of small space living with big style. The foot print of the cabin results in an interior square footage of 352 on the fist floor with an additional 128 in the loft. The interior is designed with the kitchen and bath on the first caped by the sleeping loft.

The design of the cottage encompassed three primary goals. First, to provide the space required for an extend stay cabin with a minimal footprint. Second, provide a quality of space and abundant natural light not typically found in a structure of this size. And third, the structure needed to allow for simplicity of construction and maintenance. The C3 hits a home run all three points.

The cabins exterior is constructed of low cost fiber cement and metal panels. These materials have a low initial cost and minimal long-term maintenance.

The cabin has that light airy look and feel of a well-designed space. The natural light and interior height trick one into believing the C3 is a far more spacious structure.

3 comments:

Ann said...

Nice design. Loved the bedroom with its glass walls that also serves as windows. Gives the space the illusion of being spacious and the natural light helps to make the room more airy. Also it gives the owner an instant view.

Michael said...

Yes I agree the natural light is amazing in the entire space.

jen x said...

It really does look gloriously light and airy.

BTW, I thought of you last week. We added an extra day on to the beginning of an NYC trip at the last minute, but our hotel wanted a crazy rate for the extra night. So we took a wild shot and stayed at The Pod Hotel, which has without a doubt the smallest rooms I’ve ever seen in a hotel. Not anywhere near as chic as the small spaces on your blog, but it was kinda cool for one (cheap) night.