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

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  • Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
  • 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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КОМЕНТАРІ • 387

  • @originaluddite
    @originaluddite 5 місяців тому +504

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

    • @aysuppatruck6185
      @aysuppatruck6185 2 місяці тому +7

      "What kind of music do you relax to in this lovely space?"
      ""CHOO CHOO!""

    • @DoronBond
      @DoronBond 2 місяці тому

      😂😂😂😂 facts

    • @vikkienos6807
      @vikkienos6807 Місяць тому

      Wow!

  • @kittykatmeow8323
    @kittykatmeow8323 7 місяців тому +243

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

  • @mikedonovan7947
    @mikedonovan7947 6 місяців тому +81

    A truly whimsical double wide trailer.

    • @ceriaskew
      @ceriaskew 4 місяці тому +3

      Read my mind. 😆

  • @elevenhorses
    @elevenhorses 7 місяців тому +512

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

    • @operator6471
      @operator6471 7 місяців тому +27

      to a lake.

    • @krisstopher8259
      @krisstopher8259 7 місяців тому +20

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

    • @sammy4651
      @sammy4651 7 місяців тому +2

      @@operator6471 Do we all thin alike 🤣

    • @goudagirl6095
      @goudagirl6095 4 місяці тому +3

      @@operator6471 To Narnia.

  • @girliedefensor0506
    @girliedefensor0506 2 місяці тому +15

    it's so lovely to see people who truly love doing their job and really has the space and resources to do so. Gives you a glimpse of the full potential of what creativity really can reach when it's unhindered by finances or other factors

  • @eattherich9215
    @eattherich9215 4 місяці тому +25

    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.

    • @Michael75579
      @Michael75579 Місяць тому +1

      The studio on rails is definitely a gimmick, but it's a cool gimmick so I'll let them get away with it. The house as a whole looks way more pleasant and livable than many "architect-designed" homes and fits into its surroundings rather than stamping itself into them.

  • @maxzett
    @maxzett 7 місяців тому +1170

    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
      @fightsfortheuser 7 місяців тому +118

      but you got to see him shake hands with it

    • @denlolify
      @denlolify 7 місяців тому +15

      looks like it attaches to the deck outside at the frontdoor

    • @scottmulholland1329
      @scottmulholland1329 7 місяців тому +64

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

    • @wideeyedraven15
      @wideeyedraven15 7 місяців тому +14

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

    • @eliasbram3710
      @eliasbram3710 7 місяців тому +26

      thanks for the heads up. Getting out now

  • @BayouRoad
    @BayouRoad 4 місяці тому +18

    Sheldon Cooper would love this!

  • @benjamingoetz_art
    @benjamingoetz_art 7 місяців тому +136

    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
      @itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808 7 місяців тому +11

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

    • @Swiss11990
      @Swiss11990 3 місяці тому

      Sammmmme

  • @blackvulture7999
    @blackvulture7999 6 місяців тому +10

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

  • @gardgarland5293
    @gardgarland5293 7 місяців тому +29

    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.

  • @adamfelker3493
    @adamfelker3493 7 місяців тому +91

    What an extravagance

  • @biogalarchives
    @biogalarchives 7 місяців тому +283

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

    • @itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808
      @itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808 7 місяців тому +22

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

    • @leftblank131
      @leftblank131 7 місяців тому +7

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

    • @GCubedProductions
      @GCubedProductions 6 місяців тому +13

      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
      @triton62674 6 місяців тому

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

    • @thirdstonefromthasun
      @thirdstonefromthasun 3 місяці тому +2

      never he’s gotta beat it while watching the office move

  • @tgxleasing5769
    @tgxleasing5769 7 місяців тому +20

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

  • @zellalaing5439
    @zellalaing5439 5 місяців тому +8

    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.

  • @selftalkwithsal4229
    @selftalkwithsal4229 6 місяців тому +7

    Thankyou for being a model for what is possible🙏🏿

  • @vsznry
    @vsznry 7 місяців тому +16

    AWESOME. Olson Kundig is freaking AMAZING.

  • @gregorygrice
    @gregorygrice 7 місяців тому +11

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

  • @gio.c4555
    @gio.c4555 7 місяців тому +23

    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.

  • @janinemcneilly8941
    @janinemcneilly8941 4 місяці тому +5

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

  • @terrancearnold8530
    @terrancearnold8530 22 дні тому

    Dearest Brother in Architecture this is such a great building brother. I have no words here to describe .timeless.

  • @Robertoayon
    @Robertoayon 2 місяці тому +4

    Damm, I forgot my glasses, now I need to move back the office. Oh, wait... I can WALK back!

  • @JulieRainyPDX
    @JulieRainyPDX 5 місяців тому +2

    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.

  • @jerrys9226
    @jerrys9226 6 місяців тому +3

    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.

  • @BobLaLoutre
    @BobLaLoutre 2 місяці тому

    I love Tom Kundig is thinking is suchhhh a great inspiration

  • @kazoosc
    @kazoosc Місяць тому

    very, very cool project.
    lovely touches throughout .. relations of forms .. setting .. railbed/light .. light .. materials

  • @jaimemarkin8680
    @jaimemarkin8680 Місяць тому

    That certainly makes a very unique studio and office on wheels!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @b3blueblue
    @b3blueblue 7 місяців тому +8

    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.😊

  • @Davett53
    @Davett53 7 місяців тому +2

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

  • @John_Locke_108
    @John_Locke_108 7 місяців тому +112

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

    • @eauneau
      @eauneau 6 місяців тому +5

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

    • @pisteuojustbelieve
      @pisteuojustbelieve 6 місяців тому +4

      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.

  • @snowballeffect7812
    @snowballeffect7812 7 місяців тому +12

    5:55 love the K-On poster lol

  • @КсенияДаниловских-ы4р
    @КсенияДаниловских-ы4р 7 місяців тому +39

    Sheldon Cooper would be thrilled))

  • @patriciaromero5347
    @patriciaromero5347 7 місяців тому +16

    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.

  • @who2u333
    @who2u333 7 місяців тому +186

    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
      @leonardonetagamer 7 місяців тому +17

      thank you for this common sense

    • @Drnaynay
      @Drnaynay 7 місяців тому +44

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

    • @menaseven9093
      @menaseven9093 7 місяців тому

      lol

    • @rebahensley5323
      @rebahensley5323 7 місяців тому +15

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

    • @joãoAlberto-k9x
      @joãoAlberto-k9x 7 місяців тому

      Amen.❤.

  • @jsupnorth1
    @jsupnorth1 7 місяців тому +5

    Best episode of NeverTooSmall ever

  • @IskandarSitdikov
    @IskandarSitdikov 7 місяців тому +23

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

  • @rodrigolucena1698
    @rodrigolucena1698 7 місяців тому +3

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

  • @soffa93
    @soffa93 7 місяців тому +258

    "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
      @julieuk5855 7 місяців тому +1

      How could you not? I could.

    • @soffa93
      @soffa93 7 місяців тому +11

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

    • @julieuk5855
      @julieuk5855 7 місяців тому +7

      @@soffa93 That's money for you!

    • @menaseven9093
      @menaseven9093 7 місяців тому +1

      lol

    • @CarmaCat2024
      @CarmaCat2024 7 місяців тому +14

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

  • @ursonate
    @ursonate 7 місяців тому +10

    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.

  • @alexanderbrooksify
    @alexanderbrooksify 3 місяці тому +5

    I see that Konosuba poster. 2:27

  • @px7460
    @px7460 7 місяців тому +3

    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

  • @kodyjbosch1
    @kodyjbosch1 7 місяців тому +1

    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. :)

  • @brianb5145
    @brianb5145 2 місяці тому

    I caught a glimpse of Mr. Rogers holding the Neighborhood Trolley (Funko POP version).

  • @ZacchaeusNifong
    @ZacchaeusNifong 7 місяців тому +24

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

    • @ashmaffick
      @ashmaffick 7 місяців тому

      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
      @danielabel3826 6 місяців тому +2

      Time stamp?

    • @ZacchaeusNifong
      @ZacchaeusNifong 6 місяців тому

      @@danielabel3826 5:20

    • @triton62674
      @triton62674 6 місяців тому

      @@danielabel3826 5:25

    • @ScottRainey
      @ScottRainey 6 місяців тому +8

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

  • @inthecompanyofnone3597
    @inthecompanyofnone3597 2 місяці тому

    Beautiful and ingenious.

  • @joycecrocker4399
    @joycecrocker4399 2 місяці тому

    ❤😮 so stunningly beautiful . Amazing 😊

  • @djksfhakhaks
    @djksfhakhaks 2 місяці тому +2

    Functional. Oh. I forgot to pee. Now I have to wait 20 minutes for the room to return to the house.

  • @mhogen
    @mhogen 7 місяців тому +207

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

    • @rowantheboatadair
      @rowantheboatadair 7 місяців тому +43

      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
      @John_Locke_108 7 місяців тому +12

      Exactly. Really stupid idea.

    • @MJSE-of7gs
      @MJSE-of7gs 7 місяців тому +3

      @@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
      @JCAMason 7 місяців тому +14

      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.

    • @CarmaCat2024
      @CarmaCat2024 7 місяців тому +6

      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 : )

  • @Thimon88
    @Thimon88 7 місяців тому +5

    This house is straight out of the Myst video games.

    • @JCintheBCC
      @JCintheBCC 7 місяців тому +1

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

  • @kingmorghan
    @kingmorghan 7 місяців тому +1

    MAXON HOUSE! Such a dream.

  • @TomModeste
    @TomModeste 3 місяці тому +1

    The gate is basically a Richard Serra artwork

  • @WisconsinCentralProductions
    @WisconsinCentralProductions 7 місяців тому +6

    my 2 favorite things combined! architecture and trains!

  • @joop1991
    @joop1991 6 місяців тому +4

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

  • @michaeltouchette8156
    @michaeltouchette8156 7 місяців тому +2

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

  • @Suho1004
    @Suho1004 7 місяців тому +38

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

    • @eauneau
      @eauneau 6 місяців тому +4

      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
      @zellalaing5439 5 місяців тому

      Lmao so true

  • @milkwasabadchoice6969
    @milkwasabadchoice6969 7 місяців тому +5

    one word: wow

  • @ZeacorZeppelin
    @ZeacorZeppelin 6 місяців тому

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

  • @MrJohnblaine
    @MrJohnblaine 6 днів тому

    Gorgeous ❤❤❤❤

  • @charlesblithfield6182
    @charlesblithfield6182 Місяць тому

    I love many aspects of the building and its setting. Is it a metaphor for family dynamics?

  • @BradThePitts
    @BradThePitts 7 місяців тому +6

    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.

  • @sunnydaysahead9108
    @sunnydaysahead9108 7 місяців тому +1

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

  • @dpmakestuff
    @dpmakestuff 7 місяців тому +3

    Clearly a Wes Anderson fan too!

  • @shirleyjhaney1041
    @shirleyjhaney1041 Місяць тому

    I love this so cool ❤

  • @foolishkin
    @foolishkin 5 місяців тому

    Sheldon Cooper would love this house 😭

  • @Alex-cw3rz
    @Alex-cw3rz 7 місяців тому +8

    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.

  • @_MS__
    @_MS__ 6 місяців тому

    Loved it . Great train sets

  • @Frelancermothersoniasark-rn2tk
    @Frelancermothersoniasark-rn2tk 6 місяців тому

    Your content ideas are awesome

  • @alexs36zero
    @alexs36zero 7 місяців тому +40

    the perfect divorce house

    • @rebahensley5323
      @rebahensley5323 7 місяців тому +3

      Lol

    • @A_Lion_In_The_Sun
      @A_Lion_In_The_Sun 7 місяців тому +1

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

    • @gameprey1777
      @gameprey1777 2 місяці тому

      Husband: Ok..at least let me keep my room and the dog 🐕....
      Wife: Nope.. I get the dog 🐕
      Husband proceeds to roll away with the bedroom ...😂😂😂

  • @omkardaivajna
    @omkardaivajna 7 місяців тому +10

    For sure i saw the whole video before commenting first

  • @JohannaMeijer
    @JohannaMeijer 5 місяців тому

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

  • @sonicbloomtuts
    @sonicbloomtuts 7 місяців тому +9

    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.

  • @62Cristoforo
    @62Cristoforo 2 місяці тому

    Strangely interesting

  • @dorothyedwards7225
    @dorothyedwards7225 7 місяців тому +4

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

  • @tastella
    @tastella 2 місяці тому

    Ostentatious silliness.

  • @kglocknotstock
    @kglocknotstock 4 дні тому

    This but in a circle 🤯

  • @Eltoca21
    @Eltoca21 7 місяців тому +6

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

  • @monicarust2383
    @monicarust2383 7 місяців тому +1

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

  • @0M0S01A
    @0M0S01A 7 місяців тому +2

    Rail tiny house...Genius! Thank You AD

  • @GreenFox1505
    @GreenFox1505 2 місяці тому

    "With detached office"
    "No, it says detachable"
    "Well that's clearly a typeo"

  • @Lauren-Day
    @Lauren-Day 7 місяців тому

    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.

  • @Alex-cw3rz
    @Alex-cw3rz 7 місяців тому +16

    "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.

  • @cameronlane3567
    @cameronlane3567 2 місяці тому

    That's one way to give yourself more piece and quiet when noisy family members stay over

  • @tumejorpose
    @tumejorpose 6 місяців тому

    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...

  • @ZitaParker
    @ZitaParker 7 місяців тому +4

    Very cool!

  • @SickofTired
    @SickofTired 7 місяців тому +1

    The title makes it seem like there is something worth watching

  • @BarbaraHaynes-by1dr
    @BarbaraHaynes-by1dr 20 днів тому

    The PacNW is no stranger to earthquakes. I wish this had been acknowledged and addressed in the video.

  • @Sevoverkill
    @Sevoverkill 7 місяців тому +2

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

  • @bfgivmfith
    @bfgivmfith 2 місяці тому

    So, can you design an escape pod that shoots into Outerspace?

  • @flvxhed
    @flvxhed 6 місяців тому

    sheldon cooper would've loved this

  • @delorean-mm6sk
    @delorean-mm6sk 6 місяців тому

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

  • @shellaneemarie
    @shellaneemarie 7 місяців тому

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

  • @CWoody11
    @CWoody11 7 місяців тому

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

  • @gamooor1386
    @gamooor1386 7 місяців тому

    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.

  • @johnwalsh990
    @johnwalsh990 7 місяців тому +4

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

  • @FenryrGrey
    @FenryrGrey 2 місяці тому

    Perfect if you have/are a teenager.

  • @harleycynofficial
    @harleycynofficial 2 місяці тому

    Looks cool but I have doubts about the long-term stability of the moving office. If the land shifts due to weather or other factors, those rails won't be level.

  • @Danielsaaaaaan
    @Danielsaaaaaan 7 місяців тому +2

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

  • @heshanfernando201
    @heshanfernando201 6 місяців тому +1

    This is what we need more of than generic celebrity houses

  • @Steven.spendlesstime
    @Steven.spendlesstime 6 місяців тому

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

  • @PhantasyStarved
    @PhantasyStarved 2 місяці тому

    The Konosuba poster at 2:27, based