• carly coulson disapear retreat-1
  • carly coulson disapear retreat-1
  • carly coulson disapear retreat-1
  • carly coulson disapear retreat-1
  • carly coulson disapear retreat-1

07 Mrz Disappear Retreat – a concept by Carly Coulson

Disappear Retreat:  dissolving our living footprint to zero energy, zero waste, zero water.

Disappear Retreat by architect Carly Coulson integrates the components for triple-zero performance into an almost invisible, ethereal state. The design is light, transparent, and seamlessly connected to the surroundings, dissolving into the landscape where the building form is compact and the glass takes on the identity of the site in its reflections (transparent ultraviolet color prevents animal collision).  A spotted pattern of thin-film PV in the south glass wall generates all the energy needs from the sun and camouflages the building amongst the trees like a quiet forest animal.  Weathered wood softens the design and blends with the landscape.  As evening approaches the clear glass roof emits a warm, welcoming glow.

Disappear Retreat integrates low-tech components widely available today into a factory-assembled enclosure that uses the passive design approach of super-insulation, air tightness, thermal bridge-free details, compact form, winter passive solar, and summer shading to achieve deep energy reductions.

“You lose consciousness of your own separate existence. You bend with the landscape, and become part and parcel with nature.”  -John Muir

 From the exterior the design disappears in the landscape like a chameleon.  Photovoltaic spots and reflective glass merge with the surroundings for a quiet and surreal sense of place.

Disappear Retreat brings lightness in mind, resource use, and design with all essentials and systems seamlessly integrated allowing the surrounding beauty to be the focus, living in balance with nature.

 

All images by Coulson

 

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