Shelter for one rock, one tree, two people and four birds
Kalle Grude
2007-2011
Bamble, Telemark
Steel tubes, steel tube couplings, waterproof plywood, glass
350 x 460 x 2203 cm

Shelter for one rock, one tree, two people and four birds
Kalle Grude
2007-2011
Bamble, Telemark
Steel tubes, steel tube couplings, waterproof plywood, glass
350 x 460 x 2203 cm

Steel tubes were discarded at a local building site. Cut to size for reuse as structure for the shelter.

Steel tube couplings cleaned and sorted, ready for reuse.

The external plywood is reused shuttering board, excellent quality after cleaning.

Uninsulated room for composting toilet and storage totals 9 sq.m.
Volume for living-, sitting- and kitchen niche is 12,5 sq.m. Volume for living, sleeping platform with storage and two office spaces is 13,5 sq.m. Both volumes have 7,5 cms of insulation. The roof area with the opening for the tree and above the rock totals about 100 sq.m.

To be honest, most of it was obvious. The local mayor decided the placing of the structure. He suggested chopping down the tree and dynamiting the rock, to make a nice flat site. But the rock has been there since the last Ice Age, and it shares the ancient groove in the hillside with the tree. The new structure had to be divided into one volume between the hill and the tree, one between the tree and the rock, and one between the rock and the cliff edge. The width was given by the groove.

A plastic tube with water (a “water”) gives unbeatable levelling precision within the reach of the tube.

The metal jigsaw is clamped to the steel tubes, giving a precise cut which makes the erection easier.

The steel structure rests directly on the ground.

Placing the steel structure on the site.

Placing the steel structure on the site.

The steel structure rests on the ground, just anchored with a small bolt in each of the corners of the three volumes.

In the winter the structure is strapped to the bedrock. Lateral stability is given by angled supports.

The steel structure on the site. Shuttering boards going up.

Nothing was cut.

Section through sitting niche, kitchen niche and sleeping platform/storage.

Only the short side facing the drop is visible from the sea.

South-west facing façade.

The short side seen from the living space.

The tree grows through the roof.

White plastic roof sheeting.
Water for washing is collected by the roof and led into a tank which gives a head down to the tree and the terrace. Drinking water is collected by boat from a shop on the mainland.
There is no mains electricity. Cooker and fridge run on gas, tools are battery operated. There is a 230 volt generator for emergencies, and a car battery for loading mobiles etc. If necessary, we will install photovoltaics.

Trees screen the shelter to the southeast, and the wooded hill stops the north and east winds. Only the southeasterly winds hit the short façade. So far no storms, even in the winter, have done any damage.
Access is via the crevice you can see in the big picture. The roof has a tough membrane and can be used as a terrace. (A plastic owl keeps the seagulls away and the water clean.)

The shuttering boards have been used as external cladding, opening returns, roof deck, -gutters, interior and shelving.

Shuttering board cladding.

Bedroom volume with sliding door.

Shuttering board cladding with ends making room for the rock.

Detail of slding door.

The shuttering boards have been used as external cladding, opening returns, roof deck, -gutters, interior and shelving.
Inside, the walls and ceilings of the insulated volumes are clad in 15 mm plywood. The floors are 18 mm plywood.

The four bird boxes are still waiting for inhabitants. They possibly have to be placed further away and apart for birds to move in.

The rock.

It has been a delight not to be connected to power, water or sewage. To be located in the middle of a natural site. To make yourself at home with simple means, on just a small area. To enjoy the coming of darkness. Light a fire. See the surroundings appear in the cone of a flashlight. In short: to experience, from time to time, a contrast to the urban comforts of city life.

The coming of darkness, shelter at flashlight.

The coming of darkness, shelter at flashlight.

The coming of darkness, shelter at flashlight.

The coming of darkness, tree at flashlight.

The coming of darkness, rock at flashlight.

The coming of darkness.



Shelter for one rock, one tree, two people and four birds.

This is not architecture. It is an art project, because I am an artist and not an architect. As an artist I have aquired some time, but to a lesser degree money. So why make something big, when some-thing small will do? And why use new materials when used ones are available everywhere? Why drill when the rain provides water? I use the things the building industry discards. Steel scaffolding tubes. Used 18mm shuttering boards. The structure is a rational result of the dimensions of the materials. It is flexible: easy to extend or dismantle and erect somewhere else. So far the rock seems ok. The tree thrives. My girlfriend is pleased. And the birds? Only just invited.


Facts:

Photo: Kalle Grude