Site

Carnation

DATE

2021

PROJECT PHASE

Design

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Olson Kundig designed a kinetic railway studio car that will transport from the main home and distance itself to the forest beyond for the commute.
A two-story, vertical form that might take inspiration from the caboose cupola concept, the studio offers a working area on the first floor and a railway ladder to a loft space for contemplation, concepting and research with a library above. The simple structure takes on the same architecture of Maxon House and becomes the vertical element in an horizontal landscape. A 110+ foot journey on reclaimed Great Northern Railway tracks provides the pathway. Keeping in spirit with the high-touch materiality of Olson Kundig’s work, the kinetic move begins with engaging a custom built railway throttle interface that controls the forward, backward motion and speed. The rail car rides on a custom broad-gauge railway with 20 foot Douglas fir railroad ties, standard rail clips and rail joined by splice bars custom engineered for the project.

How does it work?

The office will operate by means of a 240V electric motor with a frequency drive control. The motor will couple to a gear reducer and then transfer power to the main axle shaft on one end of the office. By the use of limit switches and rheostat, the control of motion will be attained. A custom sourced and crafted railway interface complete with throttle and break will allow for speed control of the motor.