Adventurous home

Tom Kundig's Studhorse design is a family retreat based on a four-structure principle arranged in a campground formation. Kundig wanted the structure to blend with its natural surroundings but still be able to accommodate scorching summers and freezing winters.

 

The son of an architect, Tom Kundig grew up in awe of his native mountainous landscapes in the US Pacific Northwest. As a teenager, he found early influences in his work at sawmills, his surroundings and his time spent hiking, skiing and climbing. After studying architecture, he now designs structures that incorporate a variety of rough materials that can withstand the elements and everyday living.

Tom Kundig's Studhorse design is a family retreat based on a four-structure principle arranged in a campground formation. Four separate structures all wrap around a courtyard and swimming pool in the same way that campers pitch their tents around a fire. Kundig wanted the structure to blend with its natural surroundings but still be able to accommodate scorching summers and freezing winters.

"The materials are tough on the outside, because of the desert climate, but the inside is cosy, like getting into a sleeping bag – protected, warm, and dry."

Projecting eaves and cantilevered roofs create shelter at the various entrances, making it easier for occupants to move from building to building.

The main living space consists of one large room that incorporates the kitchen, dining area and living room, with the raw concrete fireplace as the focal point. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows envelop the space and offer an unhindered view of the surrounding landscape. During the hot summers, the glass walls slide back to allow air circulation to keep the interior cool. The other two smaller buildings provide a guest suite and a timber-lined sauna, both with views over the valley.

 

 

"The house may have inconveniences, but the clients and I see them as terrific moments, unforgettable moments," said Kundig. "Adventure is about inconvenience in that it reaffirms and reminds you of where you live."

"The glass walls are very important. I have never liked being in a room that doesn't feel like part of the outside."

The entertainment area consists of a bar tacked onto the side of the main block that overlooks the pool.

ABOVE and BELOW: The bar area provides a fun element to the design, with walls that open up to create an indoor-outdoor relationship.

Natural materials are used throughout the structure; from the raw, salvaged local timber and steel structure to concrete features.

 

 

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