Inside a Modern Moving Home On Railroad Tracks | Unique Spaces | Architectural Digest

Today AD travels to the woodlands of the Pacific Northwest to tour Maxon House. Designed by Tom Kundig, owner of Olson Kundig Architects, Maxon House is a modern home revolutionizing the work commute. Work/life balance is given new meaning in Kundig’s design-a fully detachable home office on wheels journeys across a functional rail track into the forest creating an innovative work-from-home setup. With no shortage of ingenious features, Maxon House is a marriage of form and function and a prime example of modernist design.
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[@originaluddite]

Architect: Architectural talk. Owner: I really just love trains.

[@elevenhorses]

My mind wanted the tracks to keep going deeper into the woods & make a big scenic loop. :O)

[@operator6471]

to a lake.

[@krisstopher8259]

a looped track sounds great. i would put the whole house on the track, lol

[@sammy4651]

@@operator6471 Do we all thin alike 🤣

[@goudagirl6095]

@@operator6471 To Narnia.

[@kittykatmeow8323]

a train nerd in his dream office. I love it.

[@maxzett]

I watched this whole video just to NOT be able to see how it looks when the tower is "attached" to the house...?! FOR REAL?!?!?!

[@fightsfortheuser]

but you got to see him shake hands with it

[@denlolify]

looks like it attaches to the deck outside at the frontdoor

[@scottmulholland1329]

That’s because it doesn’t actually attach to the house 😂 there is a gap between the two structures.

[@wideeyedraven15]

Very early you can see that the track stops just short.

[@eliasbram3710]

thanks for the heads up. Getting out now

[@adamfelker3493]

What an extravagance

[@benjamingoetz_art]

I truly wanted to see the visual of office connected to bedroom and that effect, the lighting that would change through the then adjacent structure. I think it’s a real faux pas in the visionary “selling point” of attached vs. non-attached in this very unique concept. Gorgeous nonetheless, and quite stunning integration into the landscape.

[@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808]

i didn't think it was integrated into the landscape at all, especially all those huge, uninterrupted horrizontal slabs of rusty metal

[@Swiss11990]

Sammmmme

[@mikedonovan7947]

A truly whimsical double wide trailer.

[@ceriaskew]

Read my mind. 😆

[@gardgarland5293]

Architecture is at its roots a series of problem solving moments. Some very basic, some with flair. I have 2 Kundig books and I’m always amazed at how he and his staff solve these problems often with uniqueness and creativity. Love this house.

[@stysner4580]

The location is everything. The house is cool but it's definitely carried by the environment.

[@arrowguy173]

Love the classic train collection. The track idea is perfect way to blend a train enthusiast with a functional secluded office. Just cool.

[@jonicottle2874]

How often do you reckon he just walks out the door cus it’s faster

[@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808]

and he doesn't want to sweep all the forest debris off the tracks lest the tiny wheels get stuck

[@leftblank131]

Rewrites the "40 yards to the outhouse" poem for sure.

[@GCubedProductions]

It looks like he normally walks. That is like the reason he has a permanent step stool setup at the end of the tracks to step up into the building when it is out there.

[@triton62674]

He could set it on a timer so he's out by a certain time

[@tgxleasing5769]

I love that he was able to secure an EMD control stand to operate the structure. Hats off to him. 👏

[@arrowguy173]

Railroads built this country and did so sometimes with phenomenal engineering. This is a fantastic tribute to all that made our towns and cities possible especially in remote regions.

[@blackvulture7999]

Magnificent. I love the dialogue between materials, proportions, solutions and surroundings so much.

[@janinemcneilly8941]

Tom almost made me cry watching this, he was so passionate about every aspect of the house!

[@soffa93]

"modernism is a rational building style. how do you make a building efficient?" Apparently by putting a shed on rails so it can move 20 meters and you don't have to walk.

[@julieuk5855]

How could you not? I could.

[@soffa93]

@@julieuk5855 oh, it's cool, but completely frivolous

[@julieuk5855]

@@soffa93 That's money for you!

[@menaseven9093]

lol

[@jessicajimenez986]

Though modern, it is still a small house. I think this is more passion for something & success rather than just money.

[@gio.c4555]

I absolutely love this house! If you paid attention to the story you will realize that trains are very special to the owner where your place should accommodate your favorite things in the world. The proposal is absolutely selfish and that is the whole idea, it doesn’t have to be functional because it’s about a space that will inspire you to have crazy ideas while having fun. It’s a very personal space, not a staged house for everyone’s pleasure. Every detail and its simplicity have got a lot of thought into them.

[@eattherich9215]

The studio on wheels is a true folly. I love all the railway memorabilia and even spotted the London Underground District Line moquette made into a cushion for the chair.

[@selftalkwithsal4229]

Thankyou for being a model for what is possible🙏🏿

[@vsznry]

AWESOME. Olson Kundig is freaking AMAZING.

[@b3blueblue]

I would like a toy train running around the whole studio. That’d be awesome! 😊😊😊 and a lounge chair whenever I feel like taking a nap. This would be heaven.😊

[@snowballeffect7812]

5:55 love the K-On poster lol

[@who2u333]

A gate with no fence. Rusty steel for the material. A piling foundation that is 'floating'. A basic rectangle for the house. Polished concrete floors. Cabinets in the kitchen and walls that aren't rusty steel are simply varnished plywood. A small building that moves on rails. A lot of thought went into creating a basic structure, made if basic materials with a party trick of a building on rails. This seems to be an example of the artists of architecture being so deep in their bubble that they can't see that the emperor has no clothes.

[@leonardonetagamer]

thank you for this common sense

[@Drnaynay]

He says that the gate is "a counterpoint to the beauty of the forest". I guess he means that it's gawdawful ugly.

[@menaseven9093]

lol

[@rebahensley5323]

I wouldn't go so far as to say that. But I respect your opinion. Just three wealthy nerds having fun. Lol.

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

Amen.❤.

[@mhogen]

Moving part of a house? Feels like a novelty thing rather than functionality.

[@rowantheboatadair]

Maybe it's to allow for a greater separation between a working and living space, that can also be merged back into the living space. A bit of a logical extreme, I do think it's a fabulous piece of engineering.

[@John_Locke_108]

Exactly. Really stupid idea.

[@MJSE-of7gs]

@@rowantheboatadair \"I do think it's a fabulous piece of engineering."/ Wow, that is a stretch .... any handyman worth his salt could "engineer" that rail, but of course a competent handyman would have more sense than to build such a redundant type shed.

[@JCAMason]

Well of course it is. But what it does is very interesting. it creates a bubble for the designer that works inside of his tower. thats what this is about. its a working space. and the designer loves trains so its just adjusted to the user u see. this is a private property, so it has a lot to say about its owner.

[@jessicajimenez986]

Exactly & that's how it was explained at the beginning of the video. It is beautiful when architecture, design, & engineering come together to bring a dream/idea into reality : )

[@John_Locke_108]

Perfect example of why you don't design form over function. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[@eauneau]

I say the same thing about excessively short shorts. 😳😖

[@pisteuojustbelieve]

Definitely if you can you should why make a plain statement like that, why want to be like everyone else that's a boring existence. Anything is possible if you believe and if you can you should. These are people who don't just follow like sheep but are innovators whether people like it or not.

[@patriciaromero5347]

Wow. Just wow. Really beautifully done. Loved how the arquitect spoke and explained. One of the best videos i have seen in this channel. Really loved the house.

[@Davett53]

Beautiful presentation. The background music was so relaxing. The studio on tracks, that could move, was so novel. I watched this one twice.

[@jerrys9226]

Always thought this would be a great idea for houses located along erosion prone oceanfront property. Provided there is enough property to retreat back on rails.

[@IskandarSitdikov]

One of the coolest videos about architecture I've seen casually drops Tuesday afternoon 😅

[@JulieRainyPDX]

It's cool with a modern museum feel. If the property was large enough and funds were endless, it would be fun to also have a small unique passenger train with a couple bridges.

[@zellalaing5439]

I'm not usually a fan of these style of modernist homes, however, the exterior material used make it look like a shadow and the trees more dominant in view, much nicer.

[@gregorygrice]

As a railroader and an avid rail enthusiast, this is AWESOME!

[@КсенияДаниловских-ы4р]

Sheldon Cooper would be thrilled))

[@krisstopher8259]

now i can see him smiling, lol

[@WisconsinCentralProductions]

my 2 favorite things combined! architecture and trains!

[@sonicbloomtuts]

You live in a beautiful forest and have no commute. So instead of having a short walk every morning breathing in the magnificent forest air, which is very healing and grounding, you use diesel to not have to move more than a few steps. Also looking at the whole blueprint, this isn't a small house, it's just very inefficiently constructed wasting lots of space.

[@ursonate]

I'd been wanting to hear the sound of it moving ever since I first heard about this. wish there was less music though so I could *really* hear it.

[@BayouRoad]

Sheldon Cooper would love this!

[@kodyjbosch1]

Very Cool! thanks for sharing. I'm a born and raised Pacific Nor'westerner, huge fan of Olson Kundig, kinetic sculpture, trains, and currently live one of the previous (long abandoned) stops of the Great Northern Railway. yet another very inspiring construction by Olson Kundig. :)

[@jebidiahkorn]

one word: wow

[@px7460]

Being both a designer and train buff, I like the exercise... another idea would be to have the train car travel to a "station" studio

[@Alex-cw3rz]

This would be fantastic if you lived in a dynamic landscape, so that you could move and stop your office facing a forested area, then moving on further you'd be facing a lake, then a river etc. This just seems to move for the sake of moving, which is still very cool just gives less reason to it, which don't get me wrong the office moves is a brilliant rwason already.

[@ebooklibrary27]

I am struck. This is what true architectural genius looks like

[@jsupnorth1]

Best episode of NeverTooSmall ever

[@alexs36zero]

the perfect divorce house

[@rebahensley5323]

Lol

[@Lv-nq9qz]

"Honey, I'm leaving you... but I'm not going far."

[@rodrigolucena1698]

Beyond its amazing structure and function, it looks like a giant chess tower! Incredible

[@0M0S01A]

Rail tiny house...Genius! Thank You AD

[@dorothyedwards7225]

That's what I call Imagination and Innovation!!!! Love IT!!!!

[@kingmorghan]

MAXON HOUSE! Such a dream.

[@dpmakestuff]

Clearly a Wes Anderson fan too!

[@Suho1004]

Definitely the most fascinating pointless thing I've seen this week.

[@eauneau]

I’d agree if I hadn’t actually just watched part of an unnecessarily long video on a woman in an ugly room rant about how she watched every single AD Celebrity tour video and created a spreadsheet analysis that supports her theory of them being fake. The level of meticulous detail in observations she made in nothing short of absolute insanity. I didn’t even make it a third of the way through.

[@zellalaing5439]

Lmao so true

[@_MS__]

Loved it . Great train sets

[@monicarust2383]

I love this! What a beautiful representation of owner!!!❤❤

[@michaeltouchette8156]

as an Architect/ fabricator.................. mind blown.

[@Thimon88]

This house is straight out of the Myst video games.

[@JCintheBCC]

Yes! And the same week the Riven remaster came out!

[@Frelancermothersoniasark-rn2tk]

Your content ideas are awesome

[@omkardaivajna]

For sure i saw the whole video before commenting first

[@xenduvall]

same!!

[@jamesengland7461]

IMPOSSIBLE!

[@Eltoca21]

Ingenious and fantastic. Curious to know about the amenities, how they get their water, electricity etc?

[@ZitaParker]

Very cool!

[@ZacchaeusNifong]

The picture of Mao hanging in his living room says more than any architect ever will.

[@ashmaffick]

The picture of Mao holding a nike sneaker? Yeh, it says he has bad taste in art. This dude is certainly not a communist.

[@danielabel3826]

Time stamp?

[@ZacchaeusNifong]

@@danielabel3826 5:20

[@triton62674]

@@danielabel3826 5:25

[@ScottRainey]

@@danielabel3826 5:23. Note that it's probably not Mao, and that whoever the pix is of, he's holding a Nike shoe.

[@ZeacorZeppelin]

I have a mighty need. I need a house like this. I agree with other commenters he needs a loop of track.

[@sunnydaysahead9108]

Yeeess Form meet function is the essence of modern Windows to merge with nature

[@foolishkin]

Sheldon Cooper would love this house 😭

[@Alex-cw3rz]

"Efficient", "Form follows function" builds the office on tracks... To be fair it is a great metaphor for Modernism. The point of modernism is meant to be function over form and completely failed and it's function was a lot worse than what came before. So it is a great metaphor for the failures of Modernism. The idea it's about function when the main element is unique and is totally inefficient.

[@johnwalsh990]

What's the cost of bringing the entirety of this project to fruition?

[@pman2916]

The problem with these types of designs is, the other bedrooms tend to be tiny and the house feels cold. Most of the time, like this house they have a wall of windows, that don't open up to that view. I would want to make the most of that forest and that includes having that smell come through the house. It doesn't even have a verandah on that side so you can sit out there. The office doesn't have anything either. A wasted opportunity and money for really nothing. That office isn't impressive at all, other than it moves.

[@thatgirlinnewyork]

The American obsession with big bedrooms is kind of fascinating. What are they for? Sleeping. The rest of the house is for being together in the larger spaces.

[@InsaneFame]

@@thatgirlinnewyork your anti-American obsession is fascinating, the point was about lack of outdoor space.

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

Amen.❤.

[@zellalaing5439]

Whenever weve had decorating and Ive ended up staying in a bedroom where the curtains are down for a night - it feels so unfinished and not cozy, these homes never look like theyve got curtains or blind, that would creep me out.

[@JohannaMeijer]

This is a dream of mine. I mean I dreamt something similar once...

[@curtiswood8010]

Lou, your house/office is truly inspiring. Love seeing people embracing their passions. Cool stuff.

[@Sevoverkill]

Isambard kingdom brunel's dream realised! A broad gauge house!

[@koutsoftides]

awesome

[@joop1991]

How do you get power to that building? And how does it looks docked?

[@Danielsaaaaaan]

How is hvac handled in the office, is it just a glorified shed?

[@pileshmuzma9406]

this house rules

[@heshanfernando201]

This is what we need more of than generic celebrity houses

[@BradThePitts]

7:30 If you want to impress your friends, "Bethlehem Steel" is pronounced Beth-LEM (two syllables). It's in the Central Pennsylvania / Amish / Pennsylvania Dutch accent.

[@Shub9-d7q]

I love this

[@Jchapa23]

Love this

[@Lauren-Day]

Dream cat @ 4:30. Literally my ideal cat! But also, wondering how the rest of the family feels about being frugal on the house so the dad can have his gimmick office that he probably walks to most days. Still a beautiful, creative design though, and I love to see the Bethlehem Steel recycled tracks and overall passion the owner has.

[@SickofTired]

The title makes it seem like there is something worth watching

[@flvxhed]

sheldon cooper would've loved this

[@tumejorpose]

When I watch these types of videos of houses in the middle of the woods, I always wonder about security and how that gets taken into consideration...

[@shellaneemarie]

Enjoyed this feature! We need more innovation that keeps the essence of history. Beautiful.

[@okynawahx3130]

Nice K-ON poster

[@NaveenkumarS-iv3je]

tom kundig is a goat in architecture

[@hellowoodi]

Lovely ❤

[@Banditolore]

The docking would have been so much cooler to figure out. A module that seamlessly becomes interconnected and disconnected. Pretty great stuff nonetheless.

[@gamooor1386]

You want functional you could continue using the tracks but have a pop-out style folding section of your house and when not in use you can fold the entire thing inwards.

[@delorean-mm6sk]

should have a railway turntable at the end. that way he can change the light exposure

[@jimmy3527]

This is an awesome vid

[@lavidawithjoey]

This is a fascinating personal project with space for a small family

[@cromulentparty]

Very cool.

[@bobnomura2068]

That moving office - I really liked it !

[@menaseven9093]

Nice modern house, I like Tom Kundig black house with two pools in L A

[@marki7901]

there is a Japanese Animation, about a moving house. it's cooooool

[@Cyancat123]

When you're getting a divorce and they say "I want half of everything"

[@oeendrila]

What about zombies and rampant dacoity!? I guess this is a weekend property.😊

[@Steven.spendlesstime]

Hope they got someone to calculate the load and temperature of the wire when it's coiled up and in use....

[@katietatey]

OK but we need the opinion / reaction of that lovely British gentleman on Instagram / Tiktok that loves trains.

[@zellalaing5439]

If its the same peraon im thinking of - yes, hes so cute!

[@jbirzer]

The Konosuba poster is peak.

[@j.pocket]

... and all of us sit here pretending _sorcery_ is normal when it's called _Architecture_ .

[@Samual_Jones]

You people complaining should be so lucky to have Olson Kundig design a house for you. Beautiful, effortless and thoughtful. And by the way, the implementation by the builder is flawless.