Taylor’s Island, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
KieranTimberlake Firm – 2006
“Nature does not make mistakes. Right and wrong are human categories.”
― Frank Herbert
Function Follows Form:
Loblolly House was built by KieranTimberlake in 2006 as a green building that sought to incorporate itself into nature, rather than simply bringing nature into a traditional industrial house. Using pre-fabricated materials capable of being (dis)assembled on site, a main goal of Loblolly House was to bypass the need for on-site construction and the subsequent demolition. Inspired by the childhood fascination of treehouses, this building serves as private single-family residence in Taylor’s Island, Maryland, a small community with a population under 200 surrounded by lush forest and a front-facing waterfront.
The building is mostly made from prefabricated parts dubbed “Smart Cartridges” which form the walls and ceiling, and contain panels for mechanical use (heating, electricity, cooling, insulation, etc.) The house is almost entirely made of wood, bamboo, and plywood with an aluminum frame. The exterior features retractable glass doors and polycarbonate shutters on the waterfront side of the house which can close off completely.
https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/loblolly-house/
The house foundation is built on trees, symbolic of the building as a part of nature 
The staggered rain-screen sidings were modeled after the solids and voids of a forest wall
Kieran Timberlake was inspired by the revolutionary production of auto, plane, and ship industries. Using that as a model, KT opted to construct a pre-fabricated building off-site composed of integrated assemblies (scaffolding, cartridges, block, and equipment) joined together on an aluminum frame. Furthermore, the cedar cladding on the sides not only mimics the forest surrounding it, but also protects the cartridges from inclement weather. This perfect mix of aesthetics, environmental awareness, and logical utility is what cements Loblolly House as an architectural wonder.
Arkitektur N : Byggekunst Landscape Interior = the Norwegian review of architecture. Oslo: Norske Arkitektur Landsforbund, 2007. Print.
“It is a house among and within the trees.” The building is completely pre-fab, constructed off-site, and can be assembled or disassembled whole and quickly. This shift away from demolition and debris to recyclable materials/buildings is a notable feature of Loblolly House. The glass and hangar doors are adjustable in order to let in natural light, while still shielding the house from inclement weather. This efficient use of space, building materials, and construction prove that Loblolly House is a model for green, recyclable architecture.
Ueda, Makoto. Global architecture: Houses. Tokyo: A.D.A. EDITA., 1977. Print.
A house seemingly swallowed by nature 
Cedar outer layer based on a natural forest
The building’s connection to the nature around it is the most captivating aspect of it, from being a house seemingly hidden in the forest to mimicking the trees themselves. The foundation built on trees, the physical material built out of wood, and even the cedar cladding all contribute to a full immersion in the natural environment. It is this disconnect from modernity and return to simplicity that bring out a sense of innate belonging, a return to one’s roots.
Wood interior with plants inside make the house feel a part of the nature around it 
Use of open space and clear glass accentuates the use of the natural environment
Situated in a small, remote island off of Maryland, Loblolly House is flanked by lush forest on the right and natural water on the left. It’s location is representative of the ecological structure driving its architecture, especially the trees surrounding it, making the building part of nature not only in construction but also in location. Furthermore, the proximity to the waterfront only accentuates the connection to nature and subsequent desire to interact with it.
“Right now, for the most part, the whole building industry’s approach it by saying, ‘We’re going to add green features.’ That will never ever be successful, because adding things costs more.” Kieran Timberlake’s ambitious Loblolly House completely redefined green architecture. By coordinating with engineers and fabricators around a modeled building from the start, the process was streamlined, efficient, and didn’t waste resources along the communication chain. KT sought to set a precedent, to develop affordable, high-quality housing with a reduced environmental footprint.
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2008-06-15-0806120046-story.html
Interview with KieranTimberlake
The “cavity” between the outside hangar door (for storm protection) and inside windows (regular windows) create a thermal blanket to insulate and warm the house during storms and cold weather.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUIK5lePzKY
KieranTimberlake: Loblolly House Video
Each picture of Loblolly House has one common theme: nature. From the cedar cladding on the sides to the wood furniture, ceiling and floors. The rooms seem to be a part of the forest itself, adding a sense of belonging to the natural atmosphere. The complimentary colors indoors and all rooms facing the waterfront, with the ability to open up the windows for an unobstructed view, form a connection to the surrounding environment and attract the residents to visit the water or simply go outside for a walk.
According to the blog author, the most exciting aspect of Loblolly House is the possibility of mass production. Affordable, low-impact, reusable buildings with efficient space use would revolutionize the current housing tradition (as was intended by Kieran Timberlake during the designing process). I wholeheartedly agree, this model of building is not only faster, but also a much better use of resources, and a much needed market shift in a time of overcrowding, rising land cost, and growing concern over environmental impact.
https://chamdesign.tistory.com/entry/Loblolly-House
Blog: Loblolly House
Forty percent of the material in landfills is building debris
The costs of on-site construction have soared, while the quality of factory-built components and consumer interest in prefab have risen
Loblolly House can be disassembled, and subsequently parts from it can be recycled or resold (avoiding debris/landfills)
https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/8725-loblolly-house
Journal Article: Loblolly House
Kieran Timberlake emphasizes sustainable design in their buildings, seeking to minimize environmental effects on surroundings
KT utilizes aspects such as daylight, natural ventilation, building orientation and massing to reduce the need for electrical heating and insultation
KT is ISO 9001:2008 Certified for the Research, Management and Delivery of Architectural Services
https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/firm-profile-kierantimberlake_o
Magazine: KieranTimberlake
Santiago Mendoza Alday
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