Architecture

Steel-clad Micro Cabins are built to last

Steel-clad Micro Cabins are built to last
The cabins were completed in 2015
The cabins were completed in 2015
View 26 Images
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Sat on piles, the prefabricated cabins are built to require very little maintenance
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Sat on piles, the prefabricated cabins are built to require very little maintenance
Covered outdoor areas offer space for sheltering bikes, kayaks, and other gear
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Covered outdoor areas offer space for sheltering bikes, kayaks, and other gear
The cabins are based on a steep hill within a Lodgepole Pine forest
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The cabins are based on a steep hill within a Lodgepole Pine forest
They serve as dormitories for the Colorado Outward Bound School
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They serve as dormitories for the Colorado Outward Bound School
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
Inside, the cabins are simply furnished and finished with birch plywood
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Inside, the cabins are simply furnished and finished with birch plywood
The layouts vary, but include storage, bunk beds, desks and closets
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The layouts vary, but include storage, bunk beds, desks and closets
Inside one of the cabins
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Inside one of the cabins
Inside one of the cabins
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Inside one of the cabins
A storage area inside one of the cabins
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A storage area inside one of the cabins
A storage area inside one of the cabins
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A storage area inside one of the cabins
There's no toilet or cooking facilities but there is a great view
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There's no toilet or cooking facilities but there is a great view
The cabins were completed in 2015
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The cabins were completed in 2015
The cabins were prefabricated and designed as two separate elements
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The cabins were prefabricated and designed as two separate elements
The box contains the actual cabin proper, while a frame surrounds it and can be used to store gear like bikes, skis and kayaks
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The box contains the actual cabin proper, while a frame surrounds it and can be used to store gear like bikes, skis and kayaks
The frame also sports a secondary roof designed to support the heavy winter snow loads
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The frame also sports a secondary roof designed to support the heavy winter snow loads
Sat on piles, the prefabricated cabins are built to require very little maintenance
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Sat on piles, the prefabricated cabins are built to require very little maintenance
The cabins are clad in hot-rolled steel
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The cabins are clad in hot-rolled steel
Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
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Architectural drawing of the micro-cabins
View gallery - 26 images

A group of architecture students from the Colorado Building Workshop recently constructed 14 attractive small cabins near Leadville, Colorado. The prefabricated dwellings offer bare-bones accommodation for visitors to an Outward Bound center.

The Colorado Outward Bound Micro Cabins, as they are dubbed, are located on a steep hill within a Lodgepole Pine forest and serve as dormitories for visitors to the Colorado Outward Bound School. To ensure quick on-site construction, they were prefabricated in Denver before being shipped to location and assembled within three weeks.

Each cabin sits atop concrete piles and is surrounded by a frame that offers a semi-outdoor space for storing gear such as bikes and kayaks. In addition, the frame sports a secondary roof that's designed to withstand heavy winter snow loads. The cabins are clad in hot-rolled steel and intended to require little maintenance.

Inside one of the cabins
Inside one of the cabins

Inside, the cabins measure 140 to 200 sq ft (13 to 18 sq m) and are finished in birch plywood. The layouts vary, but include storage units, pull-down beds and under-storage. There's no toilet or cooking facilities though, and guests must make use of a nearby bathhouse.

A Colorado Building Workshop representative told Gizmag that the long-term plan is to build seven more cabins (construction on these is currently ongoing). In addition, a new staff lodge with bathrooms, laundry, dining hall and communal space will be designed by a local architecture firm. The entire project is expected to be completed within two years.

Source: Colorado Building Workshop via Arch Daily

View gallery - 26 images
2 comments
2 comments
Bushpossum
Looks great. Pity they discriminated against bush lovers who use a wheelchair (as usual).
habakak
As long as the steel is galvanized and the rivets/screws/nails they used are stainless as well it should hold up and look good for a long time. Glad to see they are using concrete footers too. Exposed wood just does not hold up like steel and concrete.