The Outpost, by Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen, is a place for art sited in the sparse setting of central Idaho. At first, I thought the relationship of the house to its site was odd. The exterior is bare CMU block with just the few penetrations for glass. And the long and high garden wall separates a tree colonnade from the principal site, even though there is not a lot to separate from in the area.
Then the photographs draw you inside the house, and the connection to the landscape becomes more clear. The large glass on the elevated level provides expansive views of the low and open landscape. The tree garden, surrounded and separated by the high wall, is place-less and retains no connection to the infertile site. As much as the exterior has a nice form, to me the project is about the experience of seeing one's connection and disconnection from the site. This quality makes a perfect place to be quieted for the creation of art.
One of the few houses Ive seen recently that does its surroundings justice or the view there of. Peaceful and comfortable. I dont understand the wall though and this is the only interior shot :(.
ReplyDeleteWould be difficult to defend against zombies...
Actually the garden wall's purpose is to protect the food and plants grown within from the multitude of roaming wildlife that would love a free snack.
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