Horizontal Forest: A Retreat on the AT

This is a project about reconciling the rational world of architecture with the empirical world of nature. A small retreat on the Appalachian Trail near Dragon's Tooth, this project employs two elements belonging to each of those entities. The retreat is composed of a double envelope. The exterior envelope is a wooden screen and dry stacked stone wall relating to the natural world. In contrast, the second envelope is a glass and steel box, analogous to the rationality of man. Dimensional 2x4 lumber models are employed to study the light conditions, patterns, and construction of the wooden screen.