The TimberCabin range is currently being developed specifically for use by lodges and resorts, or for use as a ‘second dwelling’, and will be available as pre-fabricated kits from approved fabricators.
Though custom design would usually take preference over pre-design, there are several instances where pre-design and pre-fabrication have advantages over custom design and on-site construction:
- where the clients budget is limited: pre-design is less costly than custom design due to the re-use of a design for several units as well as savings in production costs due to a large portion of the construction occurring in a factory environment.
- where it is advantageous to have knowledge of the product cost before commissioning designers and commencing with a project
- for resort type projects with multiple units & less client specific requirements than for, for example, a residential house.
Adaptability is of utmost importance for pre-design to be a successful solution in meeting the specific requirements of a project, as each site differs in terms of access & approach, north aspect orientation, view orientation, site topography and prevailing climatic conditions. The TimberCabin range is being design with all of these factors foremost in the design process. The programmatic requirements of each client and project differ as well as the aesthetic requirements and feel of each project and a different response in terms of the form of the building for each project is required.
Design solutions informed by these variables include expandable size units, the ability to mirror units for approach, orientation and privacy factors requirements, and a variety of roof options, both as a primary determinant of aesthetic form and for purposes of solar passive design. Active solar strategies can include photovoltaic electricity production, rainwater harvesting, solar water heating, and biological sewerage disposal systems.
The images show a 1 bedroom cabin expandable to a 2 bedroom, and is an example of design for expansion in mind which requires minimal change to the existing unit when adding on.
A further design feature is that the unit only opens out to 2 sides, in this case from the corner of the dining /living area. This feature allows several units to be built in fairly close proximity to each other while still providing each unit with the opening out indoor/outdoor experience, and at the same time maintaining privacy from the neighbouring unit.
