POWDER MOUNTAIN
Energy cabin, Utah
In approaching the design for the Powder Mountain cabin, inspiration was found in the words “spiraling” and “coiling”. For this project, the definition of these words was used to help turn unfavorable topographic conditions into favorable conditions.
The most interesting challenge was how to design for net-zero energy in a location that has heavy snow for six months a year. This was solved by using an aerodynamic exterior shape and operable glazing to reduce wind strength from different directions on the site during winter while providing natural ventilation for the interior.
An interconnected building structure was designed to brightly reflect indirect sunlight and provide shade from direct sunlight. The hycrete concrete solution floor, clear shade glass, geothermal wells, photovoltaic arrays, hot water radiant floor, wind turbine, sand filter, storage tank, and solar distillation system will work together to fulfill the requirements of the sustainable net-zero energy goal.
The new powder mountain cabin was conceived as an evolution of these construction techniques: a highly-evolved log cabin at an unprecedented scale.
