remote outsource studio
arch element .
DESERT CABIN
Joshua Tree, California, USA
m
2
22
interior floor area
The Tiny House Movement is sweeping across the globe as we become more aware of our impact on the earth. This, along with our ability to find peace and comfortability in minimalism. We have learned that sometimes "less is more". Here is our Desert Cabin take on a tiny house.
From an environmental point of view, less is definitely more. The less you can disturb the natural environment while still harnessing it's natural power, the better. The structure is made from naturally sourced soil that is used in a product called "rammed earth" to create walls. That's pretty self-explanatory. Being in the region of California where orange orchards used to source a flourishing trade, there are plenty of retired orange trees. These are useful in producing the timber elements of this design, thus storing the carbon the trees have collected into a structure rather than burning it or allowing it to rot and release harmful gasses back into the atmosphere.
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
LOFT FLOOR PLAN
The positioning of the building is also crucial to it's comfort and energy efficiency. Being in the Northern hemisphere in a region with a higher climate, the introduction of timber slats and plants create cooling devices to the South of the site. The thick rammed earth walls should help in protecting the inner capsule from harsh temperature differences. Windows on the East and West allow morning light in so that breakfast can be made with no artificial light, and afternoon sun heats up the house before the cool evening sets in.
WEST ELEVATION
EAST ELEVATION
SECTION 01
SECTION 02
The crucial element of tiny house building techniques is spatial planning. The way we went about this design was by making a list of the activities the average person must perform per day. This is not only inclusive of the basic needs such as feeding, sleeping, hygiene, etc. but also the mentally and emotionally stimulating factors of social interaction, sense of accomplishment, activity and learning, etc.
In this humble design we went about making sure the user not only had the basic facilities but also plants to take care of, enough space for a partner in the tiny home, accountability for keeping items neat because all storage devices are open and visible, and a sense of adventure being out in this wild landscape.
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC
Wind turbines and solar panels are a good option in this region. When it comes to water, although tiny structures may not be the best surfaces for mass rain collection, this tiny house does not require much water to function. The extended deck is designed to trap, store and filter water into underground tanks for drinking and utility.