Cabin Design Discussion

Design Intent

The Fibonacci Falls Cabin design has been influenced by the three exemplar houses, 33RD Lane, the Isaacson-Davis House and particularly the Bark Studio House. The cabin design has depicted the principal qualities and philosophies from the three exemplar houses and combined these to form a cabin that is sensitive and responsive to the natural environment being an environmental filter, a container of human activities and a delightful experience.


Points of influence

Bark Studio house:

- light weight and economical materials
- elevated building regarding respect to natural topography, terrain and watercourses
- climatically responsive design; ventilation, natural light
- blurring the line between ‘the built’ and ‘the natural’
- the ability to utilize space by sharing areas in a multifunctional manner; the ‘work/house’ typology
- forming an inspirational working environment

33RD Lane:

- a house should not only supply the necessary spaces to live in, it should supply others as well becoming a place someone can ‘escape to’ and regard as a delightful experience
- constant connection to nature, bringing the outdoors in

Isaacson-Davis House:

- The interplay between solid walls and voids, open roofs and glass panels, interior areas and areas which extend into the landscape forming a connection to its surrounding environment
- thought behind the floor plans and room arrangement minimising the need to walk through unnecessary rooms
- the journey from the road to the house, forces the visitor to think about what form they are about to enter


Fibonacci Falls Cabin: As an Environmental Filter

The cabin has been orientated to capture as much desirable natural light as possible, reducing need for artificial lighting; it has also been constructed to block the undesirable western sun assisting in keeping a pleasant temperature indoors.








The open design gives opportunity for air flow to freely tunnel through the front section of the house preventing the need to rely on air conditioning

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Having the house elevated on stilts prevents earth works, any disturbances to the natural ground, surrounding vegetation or watercourses; this also assists in the ventilation of the design.

The design works with the existing conditions, not against them.

The materials are lightweight and economical, including steel which can be recycled and plantation grown plywood.

Immersing the cabin amongst nature, framing views over the landscape, and the use glass panels, open and outdoors areas in the design helps to bring the landscape in, creating a sense of connection to the surrounding environment, blurring the line between the built and the natural.




As a Container of Human Activities

The cabin has been based on the proposal of having a mixed use, becoming a work-house; A cabin that has the qualities of an inspirational working environment while at the same time can be used comfortably for living in.

The house therefore will not only contain a bed and a work space, it has areas for dining, reflecting, relaxing, gathering, studying along with the necessary kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.







The cabin has been hidden amongst dense vegetation so only fragmented glimpses can been seen at times when driving towards it, this gives the feeling of retreatment from everyday life giving people the chance to escape from busy lives; it also creates a journey for visitors forcing them to imagine the form they are about to enter.



The floor plan and room arrangement has been carefully planned, public and private areas have been separated, with the living areas grouped at one side and the sleeping areas at the other, connected with the services areas between, effectively stoping walking through rooms without need.

The room arrangement has been created to have relationships between neighboring spaces so as they can share space making the tiny floor area of the cabin seem much larger.


As a Delightful Experience

The openness in the design, and having it elevated gives it a weightless appearance. This sets an enjoyable light hearted mood and sense of freedom within the cabin.

The constant natural air flow enables the inhabitant to physically feel the breeze and pick up the aromas of the surrounding natural landscape forming a direct connection to the outdoor environment.


The glass panels enable natural light to flood the space during the day giving a sensation of life and at night the moonlight is able to sweep in setting a peaceful and serene ambiance to fall asleep with.






The front of the cabin is angled tilting forward, this is to assist in cutting and diffusing direct sunlight so it is not beaming down on the work spaces, it is also to capture and frame the views looking down the hillside and out along Fibonacci Falls and down Reciprocity River.

When arriving at the cabin the first thing to look at is the Landscape extending over the horizon, the design allows views over the landscape to be captured from all angles within the cabin including straight through itself one side to the other.

Having the cabin feel isolated, but still easily reachable if needed gives the inhabitant a chance to relax and retreat from their everyday lives.

The simple light weight materials used in a structurally strong and legible fashion gives a sense of purity and transparency to the cabin.