Marc Thorpe builds The Edifice as an example of transcendentalism in architecture
In an increasingly hectic world, solitude and simplicity sometimes fade into the skyline, dropping over the horizon with the setting sun. Architect Marc Thorpe garnered inspiration from Henry David Thoreau and fellow transcendentalist thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson for the design of the Edifice, which is meant to be a retreat that offers isolation and minimalism.
The setting for the Edifice could be any rural area of the planet, although its location lies just two hours north of the bustling activity in New York City. Nestled into the trees of the Catskill Mountains, the cabin is a self-contained unit with off-grid systems such as solar panels, a composting toilet and candles as light sources.
Related: Minimalism adds a modern twist to this traditional farmhouse
At first glance (if approaching from the west, east or south), the building looks like nothing more than a black box. A single window on each of the building’s west and south sides is the first clue that it is anything else. Thorpe wanted the structure to represent art with the philosophy that, “In art, one must move around the work to understand it in relation to its context.”
An inverted porch on the north side eventually exposes the entrance, which is a nod to traditional farmhouse style. Inside, the striking cedar interior reflects the surrounding natural elements. The cabin is broken into four zones representing stations to live, eat, cook and sleep. Between the main living area and the sleeping area houses the essential systems of the house, including the toilet and water harvesting mechanism.
Maintaining the natural theme, the Edifice is cooled by cross-ventilation and a wood stove provides heat. Candles offer the only source of light. At a cozy 500 square feet, the space offers relaxation in simplicity and an opportunity for reflection in its minimalism.
Marc Thorpe enforces this sentiment with the statement, “The Edifice is a belief, a belief in individuality and self-reliance. I wanted to find a sense of internal peace within myself through the act of architecture. What was found through the creation of the physical work within the woods was actually the spiritual and emotional construction of a place within the soul. An internalized place defined by harmony within the nature of our existence. In this sense of space creation, the work becomes aimless and without any physical border. The work transcends the physical realm to become part of us, holistic and eternal. This architecture is systematically connected to the environment through sustainable technology and infrastructure.”
Photography by Marco Petrini via Marc Thorpe Design
