Wooded Island Camp

Working on a small, private island on a pond provided many opportunities and challenges. The first challenge was how to effectively bring construction equipment and materials out to the island, which resulted in the builder constructing a small barge. Utilities were another challenge; to meet the needs of the camp a small mechanical shed is located near the highpoint of the island in an existing clearing, sited to maximize sunlight. The roof of the mechanical building has photovoltaic panels and solar hot water panels. The roof rotates with a crank wheel adjusting the slope of the roof to harvest as much sunlight as possible throughout the changing seasons.

The clients, architects, and builder fell in love with the secluded, heavily wooded island and wanted to together craft a design solution that embraced the site. To help achieve this goal the camp is on piers allowing trees to remain close to the structure, nesting the building into the landscape and giving the sense that the camp has been there for awhile. The piers also helped minimize concrete use, as all the concrete was brought over in bags and mixed with a small, antique concrete mixer the builder found.

Low pitched shed roofs that open up towards the water and views were are balanced by low, flatter roofs covered in pine duff that connect the forms. Designed for (primarily) summer living, the camp has a relaxed plan with the entry into a screened porch that blurs the boundaries between the interior and exterior as it allows users to flow through from the water up the hill of the site and links the main living spaces with the bedroom cabin. Off the main living spaces is another, larger screened porch.

The exterior (and some of the interior) is clad with hand-split cedar shakes with a semi transparent charcoal stain inspired by the color and texture of the surrounding tree bark. The building is framed with re-sawn antique heart pine rafters. The floors are torrefied oak in the main spaces and garapa decking with torrefied oak spacers between to feel like a boat deck at the porches and stair. In an effort to further blur the boundaries between the interior and exterior the main bathroom has shake siding for walls and the shower is clad with reclaimed slate shingles with a corner window and luminous skylight above, giving the sense of an outdoor shower.