FOREST LOUNGE
Date: May 2023
Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
Program: Foundation Course, AA school
Forest Lounge is a designed and hand-built cabin for the outdoor space to relax collectively, observe, and reconnect with the natural world while enjoying the comforts of a carefully constructed retreat.
The project aims to maintain a sustainable approach to tackling the issue of using metal in the built environment. The cabin is built using only wood and logs, which blend seamlessly with the environment of a forest. The variations of the joinery and dowels are the primary connectors of the structure.
CABIN CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
The cabin was built in three stages. First, frames were precisely measured, cut, and assembled using mainly half-lap joints, with mortise and tenon for added precision. This sped up the overall assembly. In the second stage, the frames were joined with mortise and tenon, and logs were fitted between them to shape the cabin’s pre-designed sitting area, balancing strength and visual appeal. Finally, plywood sheets were added for seating and weather protection, but they sagged under weight. They were replaced with durable, freshly cut logs that could be rearranged for lounging, sitting, or lying down.
