University of Colorado   |   Junior Architecture Praxis Studio  |   Spring 2015

Our praxis studio class partnered with the Lama Foundation, located in the mountains of Northern New Mexico. The Sandia Hut was among the top three designs in the class to be chosen for construction in the subsequent summer studio class. The intent of this project was to create a place where visitors can reside if they are unable to camp at the Lama Foundation. The driving concept of the Sandia Hut was the incorporation of a movable bed, placed on a track, that can be rolled out on the deck so visitors can enjoy sleeping outside without having to camp (something that most visitors experience at the foundation). The hut is typically used during summer months and the climate in Northern New Mexico allows for a comfortable night’s sleep under the stars. A rammed earth wall on the northern side is included in the design to passively cool the space. The wood used in this design is beetle kill pine, a sustainable, local resource.