Serene Art Studio by FINNE Architects
The Rustic Canyon Art Studio is a retreat for art and exercise, located next to a creek channel in Southern California. A simple steel column and beam system placed on the interior of the studio allows the roof plane to be “lifted” off the building. The building’s columnar system corresponds to a subterranean system of large concrete caissons that extend 30 to 40 feet below grade. The building interior consists of an art studio and an exercise area, with sliding glass panels creating a partial separation wall between the two areas.
Continuous Douglas Fir clerestory windows around the studio perimeter separate the walls from the roof plane. The high windows bring soft, diffuse light into the building interior, creating optimal natural lighting for the art studio. The exterior walls are 12”-14” thick, to allow for horizontal air distribution. The thick walls also accommodate pockets for oversized Douglas fir sliding glass door panels, thus allowing the doors to completely disappear into the walls and opening the studio directly toward the Rustic Creek Channel.
The major exterior sustainable materials are zinc metal roofing, Douglas Fir windows and painted redwood clapboarding. The studio is designed with energy conservation in mind: 14” thick exterior walls with 125% more insulation than typical walls; extensive natural lighting and ventilation minimize energy demands.
