Foraged and Found – Picalo Cabin by Gerard Dombroski

A distinctive structure in its environment, Picalo Cabin came about from a collaborative goal. Gerard Dombroski designed and built the dwelling in its rural setting with found and foraged materials – completing the project within one calendar month.

After embarking on a photography journey, Gerard Dombroski found himself in the removed and landscape-rich Driving Creek, just a few hours from Auckland. After attending a working session with the Railway and Pottery experience, he was invited to take part in a challenge: designing and constructing a project independently. The challenge was that only discarded or unused materials could be used and the structure was to be completed within the month. In an area famed for its celebration of the arts and engineering, the preserved landscape setting inspired Gerard’s design. With Driving Creek having attracted many other artists, designers and makers in the past, Picalo Cabin joins a long lineage of projects leaving their mark on the Coromandel Peninsula.

In an area famed for its celebration of the arts and engineering, the preserved landscape setting inspired Gerard’s design.

With an existing interest in the crafting of metal, Gerard’s fascination with the upturned form and metallic pliability came into play with Picalo Cabin. Whilst the rules of the residency were not strict, the challenge clearly outlined that the project be built with no monetary budget and constructed from objects found in the area. The cabin was envisioned as a place of shelter and protection from the elements that was also a sculptural addition to the landscape.

Located under the Kanuka canopy, the form is a distinctive shape in the natural surrounds. Using an abandoned zipline platform as the base, the existing steel structure provided both height and established stairs. In response to the location amongst the landscape, Gerard wanted to make the most of the visual access to the tree canopies. Inspired by his interest in photographing skateparks, the roof form of the cabin echoes similar curves. Featuring one open room, the structure frames views outward and upward to the trees ¬– becoming a place of contemplation and retreat immersed in the landscape.

With an existing interest in the crafting of metal, Gerard’s fascination with the upturned form and metallic pliability came into play with Picalo Cabin.

In the formation of Picalo Cabin, Gerard Dombroski gained the opportunity to be both architect and builder. The resulting structure is a place of quiet reflection, adding to the important discussion of architectural sustainability with its use of discarded materials and forms.