'Lonely Watcher' in the desert Outpost Studio House

In the remote desert of Idaho, Outpost is an artist studio residence and sculpture garden. The compact, constrained site influenced and intensified the desire for the outside world. This is a windy place, and this isolated paradise garden is separated from the external landscape by thick stone walls. The building footprint is as large as possible, a simple, defined space. The building embodies Kundig's belief that the architect's job is to create an experience of place. The compact, constrained site influenced and intensified the desire for the outside world. The architect chose an easily obtainable building material, concrete block, as the primary structure; commercial builders were able to assemble the building quickly and inexpensively. Interior materials are largely raw and unfinished. Kundig describes the concept as a Tootsie Roll Pop: hard on the outside, soft on the inside. The building is organized around an open multi-purpose space, with a discreet loft bedroom above and a more intimate entry level below. The project by Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig creates a desert retreat that is both protective and revelatory, using thick walls to shield the interior from the harsh environment while carefully framing views outward. The heavy masonry construction and simple rectangular form reflect the utilitarian agricultural buildings of the region, while the carefully calibrated openings and raw interior finishes create a space that is both rugged and refined.