The Howard Cabin is a 3,500 SF cabin located in Spanish Fork, UT, on a 10 acre site with breathtaking mountain views on a sloping hillside lot. The design intentionally hides the home during the sweeping, curved approach, then reveals the grand entry upon arrival at the front door. The house is functionally divided into public and private spaces by a feature three-story concrete wall, serving both structure and interior finish.
Highlights of the home include the internal zen garden, second story family room and deck, and sunken Japanese soaking tub complete with fire/water features. Our team worked very closely with the design-driven homeowners to create a very special cabin, breaking ground this spring!
We asked Hakan Ashaboglu, one of the dedicated members of our team working on this project, a couple of questions about working on it:
- What do you like about the process of design and architecture?
H: It's been a pleasure getting to learn more about the design process in a professional setting rather than in an academic setting, as the two settings are vastly different. Unlike in an academic setting where most of your design is solely your ideas and design executions, the professional design process is extremely collaborative. You quickly begin to realize that the concept of the all-star architect is something that does not really exist. Although collaboration can sometimes be frustrating, I think that good design depends on the meshing of ideas brought by both the clients and architect, and I love that about architecture.
H: It's been a pleasure getting to learn more about the design process in a professional setting rather than in an academic setting, as the two settings are vastly different. Unlike in an academic setting where most of your design is solely your ideas and design executions, the professional design process is extremely collaborative. You quickly begin to realize that the concept of the all-star architect is something that does not really exist. Although collaboration can sometimes be frustrating, I think that good design depends on the meshing of ideas brought by both the clients and architect, and I love that about architecture.
-What are some of the struggles that come with a project like this?
H: One of the main pieces of this project is a large 3 story concrete wall, and this has been one of the main challenges of the project. Figuring out the right way to construct it and then finding someone willing to build it.
H: One of the main pieces of this project is a large 3 story concrete wall, and this has been one of the main challenges of the project. Figuring out the right way to construct it and then finding someone willing to build it.
