Archetype 3

Archetype 3 National: Bark Studio House
Architect: Bark Design (Stephen Guthrie and Lindy Atkin)
Why I chose this house:
The Bark Studio House is an owner/designer building. This has allowed the architect to create a building that truly showcases their "design approach and philosophies while making an inspiring place to work" (Contemporist, 2009). It is a building that is modest in size but not in self promotion, as it houses the Bark Design firm and a "shop front" window displays previous works. The building itself promotes Bark Design by displaying their understanding of nature and the need for architecture to be part of it, this is done by combining both site specific and climate sensitive design (Bark Designs, n.d.).These aspects are just some of the reasons I've chosen the Bark Studio House both as an Archetype and as the building/architects to base my cabin design around.
Environmental filter:
As an environmental filter the Bark Studio House blurs the lines between in and out by orientating the building to look over expansive views through large glass façades. These façades are angled outwards creating an almost unrecognizable barrier both outside and within the building. Three of the four façades consist of open able windows and door that further blur the lines between in and out. This aspect also works with the design elements within the building. Spaces are very open as if to feel like the expansive views found throughout but when windows and doors are opened the building turns into a viewing deck. Shaded veranda areas allow for outside use while the two mature Brown Bloodwood Eucalypts bordering the open plan style of house encourages it. (Contemporist, 2009)
Container of human activities:
Bark Studio House is primarily a works area thus it has been designed to accommodate up to six people with drafting and modelling space but the intent was not to focus on work as much as it was to create multifunctional space. As the Ume Magazine (2010) states "the main linear work space was conceived as an open veranda with compactly scaled service spaces ’plugging in’ along its length. These service spaces include Kitchen, Laundry, Bathrooms, File and Drawing Storage and vertical circulation." Spaces have been provided to contain human activity but have rarely stated what activity must be conducted within.
Delightful experience:
Bark Studio House is said to be "eye catching" and "memorable", it is a building that delights the user with both views from and towards the building. By opening up the façades the designers have been able to make this small 72m2 building feel expansive, creating an atmosphere that allows for escape for everyday woes. The climatic and site responsive design philosophies have created a building that feels comfortable and closer to nature. By understanding the site the designers have been able to incorporate nature into the design and in turn have been able to create an environmentally friendly building that is attractive to the user and by passer (Contemporist, 2009). "At every junction, glass surfaces are juxtaposed cleanly with steel, aluminium, timber and plywood, giving a clear honest expression of materials and simple, legible structure" (Ume, 2010).