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Architects: TVA Architects, Inc.
- Area: 3900 ft²
- Year: 2006
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Photographs:Rich Strode, Stephen Cridland
Text description provided by the architects. The Children's Cancer Association sought to provide a lakeside retreat where the families of children diagnosed with cancer could escape the sterile environments of the medical world and enjoy the serenity of nature to create their own lasting memories.
The 3,900 sf Caring Cabin provides that opportunity. Designed as a series of pavilions, the retreat compound is defined by the main residence, a small meditation pavilion and a two car garage (game room) with storage space. The main facility is comprised of two private family bedroom pavilions and an adjacent family gathering pavilion including the kitchen, dining, and informal gathering spaces with a large stone fireplace. The connecting circulation space is defined by a lower flat roof building form. The corners of the pavilions are wrapped with glass walls to allow the connection with the outdoors with views of the lake, and flood the exposed wood framed interior spaces with the warmth of natural light.
The facility was designed pro-bono, and largely constructed of donated building materials. Due to the sensitive nature of the buildings users, care was taken to eliminate toxic building materials. Finishes include natural stone, low VOC paints, sealants, and adhesives, natural wool carpets and formaldehyde-free wood products from sustainable sources.
