Olson Kundig

Outpost

Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

OUTPOST

Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

ARCHITECTS
Olson Kundig 

LOCATION
Central, United States

CATEGORY
Houses

AREA
3686 ft²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Stuart Isett, Jean-Luc Laloux, Jan Cox, Tim Bies

PROJECT YEAR
2007

MANUFACTURERS
American Clay, Fleetwood, Rochester Insulated Glass

LEAD ARCHITECT
Tom Kundig

CONTRACTOR
Upham Construction

STARUCTRAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
MCE Structural Consultants

 METAL DESIGN / FEBRICATION CONSULTANTS
McNay Metals and Design

Outpost
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

Text description provided by architect.

Set in the remote, harsh high desert of Idaho, Outpost is an artist’s live/work studio and sculpture garden. The building’s compactness restricts site impact and reinforces the desire to be outside.

Outpost
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

This is a windy place, and the enclosed “paradise garden,” is separated from the wild landscape by thick masonry walls.

The footprint of the house is the limit of intrusion into the land—a simple, clearly defined space. This structure exemplifies Kundig’s belief that the architect’s job is to create an experience of place.

Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

Outpost’s compactness limits site impact and reinforces the desire to be outside.

The architects chose a readily available construction material—concrete block—for the primary structure; commercial builders were able to quickly and cheaply assemble the building.

Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

Interior materials are left largely unfinished.

Kundig describes the concept as a Tootsie Roll Pop: hard on the outside and soft on the inside.

Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

The house is designed around one open, multifunctional room overlooked by a mezzanine bedroom, with separate studio/office and utility spaces on a lower entry level.

Elevated above the ground (snowpack in winter), the main living levels have 360-degree views of the surrounding high desert and mountains.

Interior finishes include unfinished recycled fir floors, walls, and cabinets; plaster made from natural clays and pigments; and Carrara marble kitchen counters.

Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

Other materials used in the structure, including the concrete block, car decking (structural tongue-and-groove material), and plywood, require little or no maintenance and are capable of withstanding the extreme weather that characterizes the desert’s four seasons.

In a windy environment, the enclosed garden provides protection to develop a culture space. Nothing outside the walls is modified.

The footprint of the building is the limit of intrusion into the landscape—a simple, clearly defined space within the landscape.

Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects


Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
Outpost
© Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects


Outpost
Plan
Outpost
Plan 1
Outpost
Plan 2
Outpost
Plan 3


Outpost
East Elevation
Outpost
West Elevation
Outpost
South Elevation
Outpost
North Elevation


Outpost
Section

Olson Kundig
T +1 206 6245670 F +1 206 6243730
Olson Kundig
159 S Jackson St # 600, Seattle, WA 98104, United States