CAMP MADRON HOUSES
BUCHANAN, MICHIGAN 1988
Simple rural and vernacular typologies were studied and reinterpreted into three prototypes: the one-room schoolhouse, the cruciform house, and the telescoping house. The massing, constructional philosophy, materials, and techniques were all inspired by the pervasive simplicity and unity particular to Shaker architecture.
Developed to sit on sites with varied topography, the compact houses each share basic planning principles: 1) large communal spaces with cooking facilities to encourage communal interaction, and 2) a minimum of two exposures in all rooms to promote generous ventilation, access to daylight and access to views. Symmetry is the primary compositional tool both inside and out.
While differing in program, each house shares common details, materials, and the implicit character that is evoked from this rigor. The houses break from outward convention in subtle ways. Corner windows are made possible with the advent of plywood stress skins, maximizing vistas from the interior that are uncommon in rural prototypes. Metal fireplaces are cantilevered from the house structure helping to maintain costs at a minimum. On the whole, the houses are planned and built simply, to wear hard and well.
HOUSE 1
A view of House 1 at dusk. House 1 was developed as a simple single room "schoolhouse".
HOUSE 1, INTERIOR
Three house types were developed and built on the grounds.
HOUSE 1, VIEW FROM LOFT
A view from the loft, overlooking the steel cross ties that occur intermittently amongst the rafters.
HOUSE 2, LOOKING UP
A view looking up in the double height central space of House 2. Note the perimeter railings and the characteristic corner windows.
HOUSE 2, OBLIQUE
An oblique view of House 2's massing, derived from a simple cruciform plan.
HOUSE 2 EXTERIOR
An orthogonal view of House 2's massing.
HOUSE 2, GALLERY
A view across the double height central space of House 2.
HOUSE 3 MASSING
Seen on end, the telescoping massing of the largest house, House 3, is evident.
TYPICAL INTERIOR
This interior view of House 3 is representative of the palette that predominates throughout all of the houses. A warm southern yellow pine floor contrasts with the cool but muted tones of the walls. The hearth and fireplace surround is fabricated from a taupe colored fossil stone quarried in Wyoming.
BEDROOM INTERIOR
Shaker inspired details and corner windows provide a simple, elegant language for most of the bedrooms.
HOUSE 3 EXTERIOR DETAIL
A view of the concentric gables of House 3, bracketted on the end by a prefabricated galvanized steel fireplace enclosure.
