Claudia Mackenzie, M.Arch, wins First Prize Student Award for Aerie – a compact cabin anchored by a single concrete wall, projecting outward on a steel frame above the slope. Passive ventilation, solar power, restrained materials.
Concept: Aerie is conceived as a threshold between earth and air; a place of full immersion in nature. A concrete moment wall anchors into the hillside, from which a steel frame projects outward, elevating the cabin six feet above the slope below. Dark fiber cement cladding absorbs light and recedes against the hill’s natural texture, so that from a distance the cabin is felt more than seen. Inside, the mood shifts entirely: warm wood-lined walls, polished concrete floors, and generous glazing flood the space with natural light and ventilation. You can hear the birds, the leaves, & the water.
Program: Arrival is via a short steel walkway from the hillside to the entry level. A bookshelf-divided hallway leads to a compact bathroom with a self contained composting toilet, an indoor sink, and an exterior shower. A diagonal stair climbs to the sleeping loft; a queen bed sits beneath a skylight that frames the night sky and catches gentle eastern light at dawn. The main level steps down into the heart of the cabin: an OMHU Teddy sofa anchors the living space, warmed by a nano wood-fired stove. The sofa expands to become a second queen bed for additional guests, or reconfigures into an extended reading and lounging area; offering flexibility without sacrificing warmth or comfort. A fully pivoting window cools the space naturally in warmer months. The western facade dissolves through bi-fold doors onto a suspended balcony. There is no kitchen, no television, no mechanical heating or cooling. Just the essentials, beautifully made.
Threshold is a project by Mason Garcea, M.Arch, and Tracy Verhoeven, M.Arch, that was also submitted to the competition.
Designed to provide a peaceful and luxurious retreat immersed in the natural beauty of the Yuba River Valley, this tiny cabin is the perfect getaway for a couple, small family, or group of friends. Threshold embodies the experience of straddling the boundary between interior and landscape, occupying a space that is neither fully inside nor entirely outside. The design invites guests to engage with the surrounding forest and river valley while remaining enveloped in warmth, comfort, and shelter. It is an architectural edge condition: a dwelling that frames nature rather than separates from it. Inside, the cabin offers the creature comforts of a luxury hotel within a compact, remote setting. Views and windows wrap all sides of the structure, while the wall facing the most dramatic vistas is almost entirely glazed, dissolving the barrier between inside and out. On the main floor, a cozy nook provides a flexible space for relaxing and taking in the scenery. Modular built-in lounge seating can be configured as a daybed, couch, game table, or up to two additional beds to support multi-functional space to accomodate the small footprint. An architectural ladder leads to a loft containing a double bed and built-in cubby closet. A kitchen with counter seating and high-end appliances including a cooktop, oven, and under-counter refrigerator, allows guests the privacy of preparing meals onsite. Conversely, the rear deck accommodates small gatherings for those who prefer a more social way to experience the landscape. A generous outdoor shower further blurs the line between dwelling and environment, offering a secluded yet open-air ritual of connection, accessible both from the water closet and directly from the main entry after a day exploring the surrounding trails. Sustainability is integral to the design. The cabin is heated by a compact wood-burning stove, and an induction cooktop supports energy-efficient cooking. Expansive glazing promotes passive solar gain in winter, while deep overhangs provide shade and passive cooling in warmer months. CLT panels with integrated insulation serve as both a sustainable structural system and a warm natural interior finish. Vertical cedar siding completes the exterior expression, grounding the cabin in its woodland setting with a restrained, tactile material palette.
From SHLTR Magazine:
Most design competitions end with a drawing. This one ends with a cabin. A few of them. We asked Bay Area architects and students: What does a retreat near the Yuba River look like? Within a year, Aaron Gordon Construction breaks ground on the winning designs, on a site masterplanned by Strata Landscape Architecture — small cabins in the woods.
Jury: Tom Kundig, FAIA · Ben Waechter, FAIA · Andrea Cochran, FASLA
https://shltr-mag.com/shltr_yuba_river_competition
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