Electra White

Second Place ($2,500) 

Electra White
California College of the Arts

Grade: Junior
Category: Live
Project: Tiny House Retreat

The restraints of this project required a tiny house with a ground floor plan of less than 300 square feet and the overall height of the structure to be at most 20 feet. I wanted it to feel like a private getaway in the trees and have the house be an experience in itself.  The house’s structure is semi-subterranean, so it becomes one with the landscape instead of fighting against it. Because of its small footprint, I designed some features to utilize as much space as possible. For example, one kitchen cabinet has a false front and is hollow beneath for head clearance on the stairs. Beneath the platform of the stairs is the laundry, accessible through the bathroom, and the stairs also double as an open closet with hidden drawers and hanging space beneath. The ample closet space and en-suite bathroom make the first floor a dream primary suite. I used many natural or natural-inspired materials that coexist yet stand out from the landscape. The layered finishes are reminiscent of mid-century design but with a contemporary take on a woodsy color palette. Raw materials create a rugged connection to the outdoors, contrasting the polished finishes for a sophisticated composition. It feels luxurious yet not forced and fits in the environment so someone can enjoy nature but take advantage of all modern amenities.