Gallery: Tom Kundig's Buildings Are Half Machine, Half Architecture

  • Image may contain Human Person Patio Porch Pergola Building and Architecture
    Benjamin Benschneider
    01

    00015-00-Chicken-Point-Cabin-BB-N3-medium

    Tom Kundig's Chicken Point Cabin in Idaho that uses a hand crank wheel to open a 6 ton window.
  • Image may contain Machine
    Benjamin Benschneider
    02

    00015-00-Chicken-Point-Cabin-MD-N3-medium

    The system—which employs a counterbalance principle, and lends a mechanical advantage not unlike that provided by a bicycle’s chain drive—allows the home owners to lift and lower the six-ton facade with surprisingly little effort.
  • Image may contain Shelter Building Countryside Rural Outdoors Nature Housing House Cabin and Outhouse
    Benjamin Benschneider
    03

    03036-00-N9-medium

    Kundig's Delta Shelter home has steel panels that hide and reveal windows.
  • Image may contain Living Room Room Indoors Interior Design Furniture Wheel Machine Wood Housing and Building
    Benjamin Benschneider
    04

    03036-00-N27-medium

    Turning a wheel activates the panel.
  • Image may contain Outdoors Nature Building Rural Countryside Shelter Housing House and Cabin
    Benjamin Benschneider
    05

    03036-00-N10-medium

    Partially open.
  • Image may contain Shelter Building Rural Countryside Outdoors Nature Housing House Cabin Gate and Hut
    Benjamin Benschneider
    06

    03036-00-N11-medium

    Fully open.
  • Image may contain Building Housing Loft Architecture Indoors and Window
    Benjamin Benschneider
    07

    OKA02-00-Olson-Kundig-Architects-Office-BB-N5

    The Olsen Kundig offices in Seattle make use of the city's hydraulic pressure to open a skylight.
  • Image may contain Building Architecture and Window
    Benjamin Benschneider
    08

    OKA02-00-Olson-Kundig-Architects-Office-BB

    The skylight fully open.
  • Image may contain Housing Building House Cabin Cottage and Tree House
    Benjamin Benschneider
    09

    10018-00-Sol-Duc-Cabin-BB-medium

    The Sol Duc cabin has steel panels that slide open like a barn door.
  • Image may contain Building Housing House and Cabin
    Benjamin Benschneider
    10

    10018-00-Sol-Duc-Cabin-BB-N2-medium

    The panels protect the home from Washington's weather when the owners are away.
  • Image may contain Porch Patio Grass Plant Pergola Building Tree and Architecture
    Benjamin Benschneider
    11

    10031-00-Whistler-Ski-House-N60-medium

    The Whistler Ski House fully open.
  • Image may contain Porch Patio Plant Pergola Grass and Tree
    Benjamin Benschneider
    12

    10031-00-Whistler-Ski-House-N61-medium

    The house is designed to give the illusion of floating in the trees.
  • Image may contain Tree Plant Roof Building Slope Housing and Outdoors
    Benjamin Benschneider
    13

    10031-00-Whistler-Ski-House-N62-medium

    The house fully shuttered.
  • Image may contain Floor Housing Building Flooring Architecture Villa House Lighting Lobby Room Indoors and Door
    Bruce Damonte
    14

    12065-00-242-State-Street-N63-medium

    Another wheel-powered window inspired by Kundig's Chicken Point home.
  • Image may contain Human Person Wheel Machine Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Door Flooring and Floor
    Bruce Damonte
    15

    12065-00-242-State-Street-N54-medium

  • Image may contain Banister and Handrail
    Kevin Scott
    16

    11065-00-TAM-Haub-Galleries-N168

    The Tacoma Art Museum has sun shades that open and close via a wheel.
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