lodge at nakoma

Creating a place in a sensitive environment for a sensitive subject (a memorial) is a wonderful honor to undertake.

Clio, CA 2015

the request

It was expressed to the Architect by the Owners and Donors that the desire was a modern structure that was evocative of the surroundings and the Native and local traditions. The Owners and Donors also requested that it follow the footprint of an existing “amphitheater” and fire pit already on the site. Finally, they felt it necessary to produce a design that would be economical as we moved forward into construction, and one that would have minimal maintenance considerations.

the design

The design selected is evocative of both modern structure and native building traditions. It combines concrete, wood, copper, and iron, and it follows the original footprint of the existing amphitheater. The primary cantilevered beams of the shade pavilion have a natural and organic aesthetic. The appearance of the natural materials changes as the wood and copper age. The beams, while being strong and structurally sound, will develop natural features such as slight twists and cracks. This will enhance the sense of an organic structure that really belongs to the site.

Lodge at Nakoma entry with vertical wood and weathered steel cladding and the Lodge at Nakoma sign, framed by pines — 01 Entry

Lodge at Nakoma at dusk with glowing windows beyond the entry drive and pines

02 Arrival at dusk

among the pines

Lodge at Nakoma with wood and dark panel facades and upswept roofs above a green lawn — 03 Front lawn

Steel pergola and wood-clad wings around a courtyard under a blue sky — 04 Courtyard pergola

Lodge at Nakoma seen down the drive through tall pines — 05 Approach

wood, copper & iron

The panels of woven wood and copper have an incrementally tighter weave laterally as the wind increases from the west, and is tighter overhead to follow the movement of the sun. An apprentice program was used to construct the structure. The project was used as an educational tool for reading architectural plans, engaging with architects and engineers, and constructing a more “customized” structure. Materials and services were donated by other outside entities.

Covered outdoor terrace with steel and wood trellis framing lounge seating — 06 Covered terrace

Wood-soffit entry canopy over tall glass doors and native grasses — 07 Entry canopy

the lobby

Double-height lounge with leather chairs, a fireplace, and blue artwork beside a wood stair — 08 Fireside lounge

Lobby seating in front of a two-story window wall looking out to the pines — 09 Window wall

Lobby lounge beneath a mezzanine with tall glazing and a dark feature wall — 10 Lobby

inside

Reception desk of reclaimed wood with lounge chairs and a stair to the mezzanine — 11 Reception

Upper corridor with patterned carpet and wood and steel railings — 12 Mezzanine corridor

Guest room with a leather chair, side table, and window to the pines — 13 Guest room

Glass entry vestibule seen from inside with a view to the terrace — 14 Entry vestibule

The grounds

lodge and landscape

Long low lodge wings across a wide lawn and pines — 15 Rear lawn

Lodge at Nakoma seen from the road through pines — 16 From the road

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