Architecture

Students rethink Californian "Parkitecture"

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Students at Cal Poly Pamona have reimagined the state park cabin
Students at Cal Poly Pamona have reimagined the state park cabin
The Wedge is one of four final designs produced
A prototype of the Wedge have been displayed at a number of shows
An overview of the Wedge cabin
Plans for the Wedge cabin
Plans for the Wedge cabin
Plans for the Wedge cabin
Plans for the Wedge cabin
An overview of the Skyline cabin
Plans for the Skyline cabin
Plans for the Skyline cabin
Plans for the Skyline cabin
Plans for the Skyline cabin
Plans for the Skyline cabin
Plans for the Skyline cabin
An overview of the cPitch cabin
An overview of the cPitch cabin
Plans for the cPitch cabin
Plans for the cPitch cabin
Plans for the cPitch cabin
Plans for the cPitch cabin
Plans for the cPitch cabin
Plans for the cPitch cabin
An overview of the Revo pod
Plans for the Revo pod
Plans for the Revo pod
Plans for the Revo pod
Plans for the Revo pod
Plans for the Revo pod
Plans for the Revo pod
View gallery - 30 images

Students at California Polytechnic Pomona have been reinterpreting the cabins used by visitors to US state parks as part of a program by the Architecture Department Studio. Revamp the Camp aimed to make the cabins in California State Parks cheaper and greener, as well as more appealing to a wider range of park users.

Revamp the Camp is was run by the Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona in partnership with the Parks Forward scheme. Parks Forward is aiming to "bring out the very best …, improve efficiency [and] increase accessibility" at California's state parks in the face of budget cuts.

The program asked students to submit innovative new designs for state park cabins that considered issues of culture, sustainability, mobility, and construction. It sought out submissions that were inventive, low cost and eco-friendly alternatives to existing and traditional options.

An overview of the Wedge cabin

Four final designs were created via the Revamp the Camp program, each by a different group of students.

The Wedge was designed to retain a connection with the outdoors. It provides shelter for 1-4 people and has a sloping roof (hence its name) that covers both the indoor section and a porch area. The cabin is made from cedar, pine and tempered glass giving it a rustic-cum-modern aesthetic. The design is aimed at being durable and easy to transport.

An overview of the Skyline cabin

The Skyline also has a rustic but modern style whilst seeking to provide a connection between the indoors and outdoors. Like the Wedge, it has a porch area, although it is more open and wraps around the side of the cabin. It is raised up on wooden beams and has space for 1-4 people. Cedar, knotty pine, lexan polycarbonate sheeting and tempered glass are used.

An overview of the cPitch cabin

The cPitch looks almost like a cross between the Wedge and the Skyline. It has a both sloping roof and a wrap around porch area. The design itself if referred to as having rustic and "California Parkitecture" elements. Parkitecture is a style developed within US national and state parks that ensured buildings would fit in with the surrounding environment. Amongst the materials used for its construction are plywood and Douglas fir. It sleeps 1-4 people with space for storage and has large windows to allow light in.

An overview of the Revo pod

Finally, the Revo Pod draws inspiration from the classic California lifeguard station. It is raised with a steel frame and also makes use of fiber glass, wood and lexan windows. The pod can accommodate 1-3 people and amongst its design benefits are durability, long-term savings and skylights for stargazing.

A prototype of the Wedge cabin has been displayed at a number of shows, whilst at least one of the designs is expected to be placed in a California state park with the potential for being rolled out further.

Source: California Polytechnic Pomona, Revamp the Camp

View gallery - 30 images
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5 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think those are really nice. Small houses seem to be current trend nowadays with those are downsizing due to the economy plus wanting to do more with less.
Bushpossum
Looks like no wheelchair access ... again! Architecture students, you have mostly grasped the concept of not excluding people based on race or gender. Can you please extend your sense of social justice to include people with disabilities? Cheers, the bushpossum.
Jabboson
Hey Bushpossum,
Its all there in the images.....
Bob Flint
Visiting a state park, or any nature area how long does one plan on hanging around doing what?
Almost as ridiculous as those look-out buildings with exterior mirrors to blend in....
This is a semi-permanent structure, that needs to be paid for, set-up, maintained, and inevitably will fall pre to vandalism or natural animal inhabitants.
What is wrong with a light weight tent that one takes along, leave no trace ring a bell?
At the most a simple open air log lean-to, for emergency shelter or stranded/injured hikers.
the.other.will
Parks have to provide for a spectrum of users, not just backpackers. These aren't semi-permanent structures, they're permanent structures. They'll be erected where they can be accessed by vehicle, or a short walk from a parking space. Light weight tents are far less durable & will cost more in the long run than wood, composites & steel.
I would like to have seen structures that can be subdivided for different numbers of occupants. For example, a single one might shelter a family with children, or 2 couples, or 3 individuals.