Brooklyn-based studio Osso Architecture has built a pool house in a New Jersey Horse farm, using standard wooden structures and the skills of the local Amish community.
The pool house was completed for the owners of an equestrian farm outside Stockton and borrowed ideas from the site's large indoor riding arena.
This existing building is constructed primarily of standard 2×4 and 2×6 lumber members, which form a truss system to span the arena.
“Although it's not noticeable in the sand, we knew we wanted to take this key design feature and create a focal point from it in our design,” he said. Osso Architecture.
Working with King's granariesA nearby Amish team of architects scaled down the arena's shape to create a much smaller, barn-like structure.
The truss system is exposed above, held together by black metal plates and rivets, while longer metal elements support the walls.
“Our design highlights the armor by taking it into space and putting it on display,” Osso said.
“This required the creation of physical study models, 3D renderings and close collaboration with our fantastic engineer to achieve a design that was both beautiful and functional.”
The pool house, accessed via a stepped wooden walkway across a lawn, has a kitchen at the far end, a dining room in the centre and a living room on the near side.
At the back is a bathroom, along with an outdoor shower to rinse off after a dip.
Sliding panels cover the longer sides of the structure, allowing users to open or close the space as they wish.
These panels protect the interior from wind and sun and extend the use of the building beyond the summer months.
A floating black chimney is suspended from the ceiling, its chimney extending well above the gabled roofline which is covered by a metal raised seam system, contrasting with the warm-toned wood below.
Simple, sturdy furniture has been placed inside, reflecting the simple, essential nature of the structure.
Pool houses generally offer more aesthetic freedom to architects than primary residences, due to their smaller size, seasonal use, and location away from the main dwelling.
Others who have been creative with their designs include Knox Bhavan, which buried a Brick house with pool in Kent under a grassy mound, and the partisans, who crowned a Ontario Pool House with a corrugated roof of compressed oak.
The photograph is from Erik Bernstein.