Zig Zag

Third-Year Undergraduate Design Studio

Sara Bartuneus Ferré, Fall 2018

The Zig Zag is an artist village located at Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois. The building is designed as a combination of living and working space for eight artists. This architecture is linked by an elevated pathway that has a zigzag shape, which refers to the axiality and the topography of Allerton Park.

The facade and the structure of the building are made of Cor-ten steel while the interior of the artists' cabins are made of local wood. The Cor-ten serves as a boundary between the architecture and the landscape. Also, since this steel age with time, the texture fits the natural surroundings and turns the house into artwork. The magnetic surface is also used in the gallery space to hang the artwork on the wall. In contrast to the steel, the local wood used on the interior provides warmth and sustainability.

The upper level holds private spaces while the lower level is a gathering space for artists. Inside each cabin, there are operable panels attached the facade to maintain privacy while enhancing a sense of openness.