Tag Archives: Cabins

Top 10 cabins that are the ultimate escapism from our everyday hectic lives

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If you’re looking for a stunning little cabin in the woods to get away to and simply relax, then you’ve reached the right place. Cabins are by far the best type of vacation I’ve come across. They’re a peaceful and tranquil option to abandon your urban life and woes, and simply unwind in nature. If you’re wondering where to head for your next cabin retreat, then you can refer to this collection of beautiful and super cozy cabins that we’ve gathered. They’re the perfect safe haven nestled in the midst of nature, providing you a break from your everyday hectic life. From an off-grid cabin in the Italian mountains that doubles up as a yoga retreat to an all-black cabin in the woods that support a slow-paced life – these mesmerizing and surreal cabins are the ultimate retreat, you’ve been searching for. Plan your next vacation in one of them!

1. The Forest House

Called the Forest House, this beautiful cabin in Bowen Island, British Colombia is designed by SM Studio. It is heavily inspired by SM Studio’s philosophy of building low-energy and sustainable homes that have been created while causing minimum disturbance to the site they are constructed on.

Why is it noteworthy?

Vancouver-based SM Studio uplifted the traditional cabin form and gave it a more contemporary and modernized feel. Surrounded by Douglas firs, and elevated above the rocky landscape – the Forest House is definitely a far cry from the standard cabins we come across. To reduce the impact of the home on the forest floor, SM Studio designed it like a bridge connecting two massive outcrops, leaving the space below quite clear, and minimizing the need to create a foundation on the rocks.

What we like

  • Built while maintaining a serene relationship with the landscape around it
  • Supports a more slow-paced life
  • Causes minimum disturbance to the site

What we dislike

  • The home can accommodate only 3 people, hence it can be considered a small space for certain families

2. Scalar Architecture’s Cabin

This beautiful wooden cabin in a vibrant green forest in Connecticut functions as an idyllic home for a family of writers. It occupies 1200 square feet and maintains a minimal environmental footprint. The home is located in a rather remote location and can be reached either by foot or via light utility vehicles.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by Scalar Architecture, the dark-green cabin is built entirely from wood, except for the pier foundations, and a leaf-resilient siding. It seems as if the cabin is floating over the sloped terrain it is positioned on. The home is marked by large openings which enable the residents to connect with nature. It features a concave roof surface that collects water and light, and controls ventilation, creating a living environment that is warm and comfortable.

What we like

  • Features a unique dark green color
  • Looks as if it’s floating above the sloped terrain

What we dislike

  • Resembling a cube, the design does not speak on how the cabin can be added/grown on.

3. ‘3 Scenes of Homes’

The ‘3 Scenes of Homes’ is a conceptual design by Studio Supra-Simplicities that was created as a proposal for Buildner’s 2023 MicroHome Competition Edition. The micro-cabin is placed on a rapidly rotating display, allowing it to swiftly switch between three varied rooms or scenes of living.

Why is it noteworthy?

The micro cabin seamlessly integrates three spaces – for sleeping, dining, and washing. It rotates swiftly, utilizing the theatrical function of a stage, to bring the bedroom, dining area, and washroom into the limelight turn by turn. The structure, in turn, occupies a minimum footprint, eliminating the need for unnecessary circulation spaces, and providing the space with a flexible style of living.

What we like

  • It covers only a small amount of space on the site
  • Recycles rainwater for daily usage via its rooftop harvesting system

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!
  • It’s not the best and most functional living situation realistically speaking

4. House Tjurpannan

HelgessonGonzaga designed a minimal and dark timber cabin in the coastal nature reserve Tjurpannan in West Sweden. Called, the House Tjurpannan, the house has been coated in tar and designed as a tribute to the boathouse and the jetties located close by. It also functions as a base for outdoor activities at the nature reserve.

Why is it noteworthy?

House Tjurpannan functions as an open and flexible living space that occupies 90 square meters. The spacious yet simple home is deeply influenced by the exposed personality of the site, as well as the generous number of boathouses found in the region. The boathouses are positioned above the ground, to mitigate the risk of flooding, and coated in black tar to provide protection against extreme weather conditions, which the home beautifully mimics.

What we like

  • The cabin is marked by massive, full-height glazing, which provides the rooms with stunning views of the landscape
  • The various rooms seamlessly flow into one another

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

5. Bathhouse

Norwegian architecture studio Handegård Arkitektur designed a bright red cabin on the seafront in Hankøsundet, Østfold. Called Bathhouse, the cabin is raised on stacks of granite, elevating it above the water, and giving the impression that it is floating in the air. The cabin was heavily influenced by the aesthetics of traditional Norwegian boathouses, especially their red color exteriors.

Why is it noteworthy?

The cabin was built for a client who lives near the coast and aims to be a ‘modern reinterpretation’ of traditional Norwegian boathouses. The studio used contemporary materials and techniques to create this lively-looking cabin since the client wanted a space that was both modern and traditional.

What we like

  • The cabin’s red-painted finish, tin roof, and thick granite stacks in the water give the impression of a traditional boathouse quite accurately
  • The cabin’s living area is covered by a second layer of timber planks, angled at 45 degrees, which aim to create a sense of privacy

What we dislike

  • The bright red shade of the cabin may be too bold for some people

6. The Dune Dormer

The Dune Dormer is a rustic A-frame cabin on the stunning Great Barrier Island in New Zealand. Built by RTA Studio, the cabin is deeply inspired by traditional Pacific huts, and this is showcased beautifully in its gable roof hut. The home completely resembles traditional Maori huts and brings to mind the vision of a harbor standing upright on a dune, guiding seafaring owners home.

Why is it noteworthy?

Unlike regular A-frame cabins, the Dune Dormer has a spacious and open feel to it, and functions as a cozy three-bedroom family home. Not only is the cabin inspired by traditional Maori huts, but it is also inspired by the local coastal landscape, and it aims to provide the residents with an experience of ‘living with the earth and sleeping with the sky’. It occupies a minimal footprint of 110 square meters and was built while respecting the environment, and local traditions of the region.

What we like

  • Inspired by traditional Maori huts
  • Occupies a minimal footprint

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

7. A House

Nestled in the beautiful wooded region of Lilla Kilskäret, an island of the Swedish archipelago near Stockholm is a minimalist Nordic cabin called ‘A House’. Designed by emerging Studio Nāv, the idyllic cabin was designed for a young couple as a cozy summer home to escape to during the warm season.

Why is it noteworthy?

‘A House’ beautifully captures minimalist Nordic architecture, and its picturesque surroundings help to create a space that is truly calming and peaceful. However, despite its pristine and awe-spiring location, building the home wasn’t simple child’s play. The site and local building regulations were quite challenging, and hence the home needed to occupy a tiny footprint, and perfectly blend in with its surroundings. In a quest to do so, the interiors of the home were made to be open, free-flowing, and extremely flexible.

What we like

  • The interiors are marked by a single open room, encapsulated in shrouds of glass, allowing the home to harmoniously merge with its surrounding landscape, and creating the sensation of being at one with it
  • Perfectly represents minimalistic Nordic architecture

What we dislike

  • The home may not be private enough for some people

8. The Trakt Forest Hotel

The Trakt Forest Hotel in Småland consists of a collection of five quaint suites, that are elevated and supported by five metal stilts. Designed by Swedish architecture studio Wingårdhs, the hotel was designed to “put nature in focus”. The beautiful cabins are accompanied by a restaurant and sauna as well.

Why is it noteworthy?

While building the cabins, the studio wanted to create minimal disturbance to the surrounding landscape, and hence they positioned the suites on steel columns placed on concrete plinths. The cabins were constructed using locally-grown wood.

What we like

  • The wooden cabins have been placed in a surreal circular arrangement
  • An impressive skylight has been placed above the bed, which provides views of the tree canopy above
  • Creates a deeper connection to nature

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

9. The Buck Mountain Cabin

Situated on Orcas Island, which is a part of an archipelago called San Juan islands, is the Buck Mountain Cabin. The beautiful cedar-clad cabin was built by embracing the original site and its conditions, and by ensuring that minimal disturbance was caused to it. A steep grade and a narrow clearing created by a rock outcropping were a few of the challenges faced by the architects, but they encouraged the clients to focus on these features as they are unique to San Juan.

Why is it noteworthy?

The grassy basalt-rock outcroppings set within a Douglas fir and Pacific madrone forest were used to enhance and elevate the cabin. The east side of the 1527 square feet cabin is anchored to an outcrop, while the west side interestingly cantilevers over the entire site, almost 22 feet above the ground, and provides beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The large trees around the site weren’t torn down which also ensured that the site was minimally disturbed. The addition of cantilevers, and point-load wooden columns with small footings helped this cause as well.

What we like

  • Large protective overhangs and south-facing clearstory windows allow sunlight to generously stream in, especially during winter
  • A stunning patio floats over the site and can be accessed via a glass door
  • Ensures minimal disturbance is caused to the original site

What we dislike

  • The designers avoided precious or complicated materials and systems, taking away from the luxury element the interiors could have

10. The Hermitage Cabin

Positioned on the edge of a hill, surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, and overlooking the Trebbia Valley near Genoa, is a minimal off-grid cabin called the Hermitage Cabin. This beautiful wooden cabin was built for “contemplation and introspection”, and occupies only 12 square meters. It can function as a secluded little home or even a cozy yoga retreat!

Why is it noteworthy?

Italian architecture studio Llabb drew inspiration from Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses while designing the Hermitage. The cabin is raised on four wooden and steel supports, which stand on a base of sandstone beds. It features an intriguing modular form created from Okoume marine plywood in Llabb’s carpentry workshop!

What we like

  • Inspired by Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses
  • Creates a minimal impact on the land
  • Doubles up as a yoga retreat

What we dislike

  • Can be considered a small space for a yoga retreat

The post Top 10 cabins that are the ultimate escapism from our everyday hectic lives first appeared on Yanko Design.

This conceptual micro-cabin revolves on a rotating display unveiling three ‘scenes’ or rooms of a home

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Designed as a proposal for Buildner’s 2023 MicroHome Competition Edition, the ‘3 Scenes of Homes’, is a conceptual design by Studio Supra-Simplicities. It is a micro-cabin positioned on a rapidly rotating display, which allows it to integrate and switch between three different ‘scenes’ of living, or rooms. The cabin spins around rather theatrically, completely redefining what a conventional cabin or home can be!

Designer: Studio Supra-Simplicities

The micro cabin seamlessly integrates three spaces – for sleeping, dining, and washing. It rotates swiftly, utilizing the theatrical function of a stage, to bring the bedroom, dining area, and washroom into the limelight turn by turn. The structure, in turn, occupies a minimum footprint, eliminating the need for unnecessary circulation spaces, and providing the space with a flexible style of living. It covers only a small amount of space on the site and recycles rainwater for daily usage via its rooftop harvesting system. This reduces the external impact of the home.

All three rooms are perfectly encapsulated in a wooden cylindrical volume. The volume has been imparted with a revolving-stage mechanism, which enables the scenes to integrate with one another while maintaining a level of distinction. The rooms rotate and shift into one another, much like a theatrical scene-changing system. This completely eradicates the need for any unnecessary and additional spaces, such as corridors, lobbies, and other areas between rooms. It creates a home that is dynamic, flexible, and theatrical, unlike any other home we’ve probably ever seen.

A shoebox-like volume at the entrance of the home separates the entire cabin into two sections – Front of House, and Back of House. The Front of House is an open space with natural light streaming into it, while the Back of House sits hidden in the dark. When a room or scene is rotated to the front, then it can be used, otherwise, it is unusable when it is positioned in the Back of House. This is quite similar to the way a theater stage is used.

A rainwater harvesting system has been installed on top of the rotating micro-cabin. This collects, stores, and provides water to the residents for their daily use. The system is supported by gravity and comprises of a rainwater collection tank, a vortex filter, and drainage pipes that filter out toxic and harmful particles. The clean water is then converted into drinking water using reverse-osmosis apparatus, creating a water supply for the various rooms. Ultimately, all the wastewater flows into a centralized collection of sewage pipes, which further leads to a subterranean septic tank where it is stored and treated.

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This dark green cabin floats above a sloping terrain in a forest in Connecticut

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Located in a vibrant green forest in Connecticut, is a beautiful wooden cabin that functions as a quaint home for a family of writers. Occupying 1200 square feet, the home has a minimal environmental footprint, and is a secluded retreat in the East Coast forest. The home is located in a rather remote location and can be reached either by foot or via light utility vehicles.

Designer: Scalar Architecture

Designed by Scalar Architecture, the dark-green cabin is built entirely from wood, except for the pier foundations, and a leaf-resilient siding. It seems as if the cabin is floating over the sloped terrain it is positioned on. The home is marked by large openings which enable the residents to connect with nature. It features a concave roof surface that collects water and light, and controls ventilation, creating a living environment that is warm and comfortable.

As you walk towards the cabin, you are welcomed by a tiny staircase that leads to a semi-protected porch. The porch provides access to the interiors of the home, which include a living and dining space, two bedrooms, and a loft. The multiple large openings in the home add to the impression that it is hovering above the ground and create a deeper connection between the indoors and the outdoors.

“Exposing a boulder on the ground, the courtyard or impluvium functions in a number of ways: It establishes a relationship between the indoors, the porch, and the forest; it produces a clearing for contemplation within the clearing of the forest for the house; and, it elevates the process of rain and snow nurturing the forest by framing it, augmenting it by the surface of the roof, and, articulating all spaces around it,” said the architecture firm.

Besides being built from wood, the home is heavily insulated with sustainable materials. The openings in the home address the southern solar exposure, the northern and northeastern winter winds, and a local summer southwestern wind.

The post This dark green cabin floats above a sloping terrain in a forest in Connecticut first appeared on Yanko Design.

This tar-coated dark timber cabin in Sweden features an exposed structural grid

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Based in Stockholm, the architecture and spatial design studio HelgessonGonzaga created a minimal and dark timber cabin in the coastal nature reserve Tjurpannan in West Sweden. The home is quite accurately named House Tjurpannan and has been coated in tar, in an ode to the boathouses and jetties located closeby. The home also doubles up as a base for outdoor activities at the nature reserve.

Designer: HelgessonGonzaga

House Tjurpannan functions as an open and flexible living space that occupies 90 square meters. The spacious yet simple home is deeply influenced by the exposed personality of the site, as well as the generous number of boathouses found in the region. The boathouses are positioned above the ground, to mitigate the risk of flooding, and coated in black tar to provide protection against extreme weather conditions, which the home beautifully mimics. “The positioning of the house follows a traditional train of thoughts, paying close attention to topography, direction, and importance of elements in the cultural landscape. The spatial structure suggests the possibility of spontaneous and unexpected use, hence the house could be seen as a luxurious way of camping,” said co-founder Andreas Gonzaga.

A rocky and natural path paves the way to the cabin and intersects with a wooden ramp that provides access to the raised floor plate. The cabin is marked by massive, full-height glazing, which provides the rooms with stunning views of the landscape, and an entry into the narrow wooden terraces. The various rooms seamlessly flow into one another, all thanks to the addition of simple partition walls. Although it should be noted, that the bathroom has its own distinct and separate space.

The structural grid of the home has been primarily left exposed and empty and is amped with ceilings lined with planks of pale timber, and walls accentuated with finishes of dark-stained wood, that beautifully mimic the tar-coated exterior of the home. The furniture and fittings in the home follow a dark palette as well, further complementing the wooden interiors of the home.

“The overall volume of the house is typical and the structural grid is largely defined by standard wooden elements in the local hardware store. We wanted a dark interior to frame nature outside. By drawing attention to nature in this way, we expand the spatial boundary and connect the house to its specific exterior context,” concluded Gonzaga.

The post This tar-coated dark timber cabin in Sweden features an exposed structural grid first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 cabins of 2022

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Do you love a good old cabin in the woods to relax away in and forget all your urban woes? Cause I sure do! Cabins have been a peaceful and quintessential getaway option for everyone for ages galore. They’re the ultimate safe haven in the midst of nature, if you simply want to get away from your hectic city lives, and unwind. If you want a calming and minimal vacation, that lets you truly connect with nature, without any of the materialistic luxuries most of us have gotten accustomed to, then a cabin retreat is the answer for you! And, we’ve curated some beautiful and super comfortable cabins that captured our attention in 2022 and will be the perfect travel destination for you in 2023. From an off-grid cabin in the Italian mountains that doubles up as a yoga retreat to an all-black cabin in the woods that supports a slow-paced life – these mesmerizing and surreal cabins are the ultimate retreat, you’ve been searching for!

1. Forest House

Nestled in Bowen Island, British Colombia is a beautiful cabin in the woods designed by SM Studio. Named Forest House, the cabin is deeply influenced by SM Studio’s philosophy of creating low-energy sustainable homes that are built by causing minimal disturbance to the site they are located on

Why is it noteworthy?

Vancouver-based SM Studio uplifted the traditional cabin form and gave it a more contemporary and modernized feel. Surrounded by Douglas firs, and elevated above the rocky landscape – the Forest House is definitely a far cry from the standard cabins we come across. To reduce the impact of the home on the forest floor, SM Studio designed it like a bridge connecting two massive outcrops, leaving the space below quite clear, and minimizing the need to create a foundation on the rocks.

What we like

  • Built while maintaining a serene relationship with the landscape around it
  • Supports a more slow-paced life

What we dislike

  • The home can accommodate only 3 people, hence it can be considered a small space for certain families

2. Atri

Designed by a company called Naturvillan, Atri is a newly built A-frame villa located on the shores of Lake Vänern. The self-sustaining and climate-smart home is like a sustainable greenhouse in the middle of the mountains! It provides stunning views of the lake, as well as of the surrounding majestic trees, and a natural plot with rock slabs.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is A-shaped with a stable base directly on the mountain and has a continuous axis so you can see through the whole house in one view. As you look up the house blends in among the trees, becoming part of the natural landscape.

What we like

  • Self-sustaining and sustainable
  • Climate-smart

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. CABN.CO

CABN.CO is on a mission to build energy-efficient and smart homes that can be placed in unique and diverse locations all over the world. These versatile cabins can be a home for you almost anywhere in the world – whether in the city or on a remote island in the Bahamas! These cabins focus heavily on solar shading and roof overhangs

Why is it noteworthy?

The homes are designed to be prefabricated, net-zero, solar powered, and biophilic.”CABN is considered a Net-positive Energy Building when applying thermal bridge-free components airtight construction, electric systems with heat exchange ventilation, and on/site renewable energy generation within the building elements.” CABN.CO has also integrated the home with a biophilic design, which is further accentuated by the presence of cross-laminated timber.

What we like

  • Sustainable + biophilic design
  • Prefabricated structure

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. The Hermitage Cabin

Positioned on the edge of a hill, surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, and overlooking the Trebbia Valley near Genoa, is a minimal off-grid cabin called the Hermitage Cabin. This beautiful wooden cabin was built for “contemplation and introspection”, and occupies only 12 square meters. It can function as a secluded little home or even a cozy yoga retreat!

Why is it noteworthy?

Italian architecture studio Llabb drew inspiration from Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses while designing the Hermitage. The cabin is raised on four wooden and steel supports, which stand on a base of sandstone beds. It features an intriguing modular form created from Okoume marine plywood in Llabb’s carpentry workshop!

What we like

  • Inspired by Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses
  • Creates a minimal impact on the land

What we dislike

  • Can be considered a small space for a yoga retreat

5. A House

Nestled in the beautiful wooded region of Lilla Kilskäret, an island of the Swedish archipelago near Stockholm is a minimalist Nordic cabin called ‘A House’. Designed by emerging Studio Nāv, the idyllic cabin was designed for a young couple as a cozy summer home to escape to during the warm season.

Why is it noteworthy?

‘A House’ beautifully captures minimalist Nordic architecture, and its picturesque surroundings help to create a space that is truly calming and peaceful. However, despite its pristine and awe-spiring location, building the home wasn’t simple child’s play. The site and local building regulations were quite challenging, and hence the home needed to occupy a tiny footprint, and perfectly blend in with its surroundings. In a quest to do so, the interiors of the home were made to be open, free-flowing, and extremely flexible.

What we like

  • The interiors are marked by a single open room, encapsulated in shrouds of glass, allowing the home to harmoniously merge with its surrounding landscape, and creating the sensation of being at one with it

What we dislike

  • The home may not be private enough for some people

6. Bathhouse

Norwegian architecture studio Handegård Arkitektur designed a bright red cabin on the seafront in Hankøsundet, Østfold. Called Bathhouse, the cabin is raised on stacks of granite, elevating it above the water, and giving the impression that it is floating in the air. The cabin was heavily influenced by the aesthetics of traditional Norwegian boathouses, especially their red color exteriors.

Why is it noteworthy?

The cabin was built for a client who lives near the coast and aims to be a ‘modern reinterpretation’ of traditional Norwegian boathouses. The studio used contemporary materials and techniques to create this lively-looking cabin since the client wanted a space that was both modern and traditional.

What we like

  • The cabin’s red-painted finish, tin roof, and thick granite stacks in the water give the impression of a traditional boathouse quite accurately
  • The cabin’s living area is covered by the second layer of timber planks, angled at 45 degrees, which aim to create a sense of privacy

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

7. Rock Cabins

Nestled in the heart of Csóromfölde, Hungary is six stunning polygonal cabins called ‘Rock Cabins’. Designed and constructed by architectural firm Hello Wood in collaboration with TreeHouses, the brains, and brawn behind the immensely popular cabins in Noszvaj, the cabins have an almost mystical and mysterious appeal to them!

Why is it noteworthy?

Quite interestingly, the cabins are inspired by the shape of rocks. The intention behind these raw and real cabins was to create something that would harmoniously blend with nature, functioning as a natural extension of it. The cabin’s rock-like aesthetic helps it to effortlessly merge with the natural landscape surrounding it.

What we like

  • Creates job opportunities for the local people
  • Boosts the local economy

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

8. Tind

David and Jeanette Reiss-Andersen, cofounders of the Oslo-based tiny home company Norske Mikrohus, decided to build an eco-friendly and affordable alternative to the pricier standard-size homes available on the market.” We wanted to create something for people looking for a way out of the rental and mortgage markets—something for those who want easy access to nature and to live with fewer possessions,” said David. And their efforts led to the birth of ‘Tind’ – a beautiful wood-wrapped tiny home built in Norwegian style.

Why is it noteworthy?

Not only is Tind built from environmentally friendly Nordic materials, but it was also designed to withstand Nordic weather conditions. Tind was designed with one important goal in mind – to encourage flexibility and freedom. It’s a home you can move around in and take wherever you want to.

What we like

  • Sustainable + eco-friendly
  • Inspired by Norwegian aesthetics

What we dislike

  • Measuring only 70 square feet, the home promotes a solitary lifestyle with no option to expand the space

9. The Nokken Cabin

Called the Nokken Cabin, these prefab cabins can be purchased by anyone, but the designer duo has bigger plans for them. They want clusters of them to be placed in beautiful and remote locations to create “landscape hotels”, that can provide a luxurious glamping experience. You would be able to connect with nature and unwind, but in a comfortable and cozy space – without having to roughen it out basically.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Nokken Cabin was created for the purpose of expansion and was meant to be a pretty flexible structure. It can be used as a travel accommodation, a workspace, a retail element, a spa, a restaurant, or even as a simple home.

What we like

  • A beautiful picture window in front of the bed provides surreal views of the landscape.

What we dislike

  • While we love the minimal black structure, would be great if there was an optional open space/terrace space to better appreciate the surroundings

10. The Buck Mountain Cabin

Situated on Orcas Island, which is a part of an archipelago called San Juan islands, is the Buck Mountain Cabin. The beautiful cedar-clad cabin was built by embracing the original site and its conditions, and by ensuring that minimal disturbance was caused to it. A steep grade and a narrow clearing created by a rock outcropping were a few of the challenges faced by the architects, but they encouraged the clients to focus on these features as they are unique to San Juan.

Why is it noteworthy?

The grassy basalt-rock outcroppings set within a Douglas fir and Pacific madrone forest were used to enhance and elevate the cabin. The east side of the 1527 square feet cabin is anchored to an outcrop, while the west side interestingly cantilevers over the entire site, almost 22 feet above the ground, and provides beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The large trees around the site weren’t torn down which also ensured that the site was minimally disturbed. The addition of cantilevers, and point-load wooden columns with small footings helped this cause as well.

What we like

  • Large protective overhangs and south-facing clearstory windows allow sunlight to generously stream in, especially during winter
  • A stunning patio that floats over the site and can be accessed via a glass door

What we dislike

  • The designers avoided precious or complicated materials and systems, taking away from the luxury element the interiors could have

The post Top 10 cabins of 2022 first appeared on Yanko Design.

These Swedish forest hotel suites are wooden tiny cabins raised on steel stilts

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Swedish architecture studio Wingårdhs designed a collection of five quaint suites for the Trakt Forest Hotel in Småland. Supported by five metal stilts, the suites allow the visitors to feel as if they’re chilling amongst the tree canopy! Designed to “put nature in focus”, the cabins are accompanied by a restaurant and sauna in the complex, and they’re all connected via narrow woodland paths.

Designer: Wingårdhs

“We wanted to keep the ground as untouched as possible and dig as little as possible, to make sure that the tree root systems – and everything else living in the area – would stay unharmed,” said Gert Wingårdh, partner at Wingårdhs. While building the cabins, the studio wanted to create minimal disturbance to the surrounding landscape, and hence they positioned the suites on steel columns placed on concrete plinths. The cabins were constructed using locally-grown wood.

The wooden cabins have been placed in a surreal circular arrangement, with a long ramp providing access to each one. The ramp directly leads to the living area within each cabin, which then widens to focus on a massive window that provides stunning views of the forest. The other end of the cabin features a bathroom, and a storage area, while the bedrooms are positioned more privately, and amped with a wood panel finishing colored in a dark shade of green.

An impressive skylight has been placed above the bed, which provides views of the tree canopy above, while a corner window provides further views of the surrounding forest .” All openings are placed to maximize the intake of nature. The one over the bed is key to make you feel the soothing sensation of watching tall pine trees sway in the wind. That, together with an intimate and frugal inside decor in chlorophyll green, strengthens the experience of being invisible in the middle of a deep Swedish forest,” said the studio. The exterior of the cabin is marked by vertical long planks of roughly-cut pine, which creates an intriguing connection with the trunks of the surrounding trees.

The post These Swedish forest hotel suites are wooden tiny cabins raised on steel stilts first appeared on Yanko Design.

This off-grid wooden cabin in the Italian mountains doubles up as a quaint yoga retreat

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Positioned on the edge of a hill, surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, and overlooking the Trebbia Valley near Genoa, is a minimal off-grid cabin called the Hermitage Cabin. This beautiful wooden cabin was built for “contemplation and introspection”, and occupies only 12 square meters. It can function as a secluded little home or even a cozy yoga retreat!

Designer: Llabb

Italian architecture studio Llabb drew inspiration from Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses while designing the Hermitage. The cabin is raised on four wooden and steel supports, which stand on a base of sandstone beds. It features an intriguing modular form created from Okoume marine plywood in Llabb’s carpentry workshop!

“The basicness of construction, the minimal impact on the land, and the use of natural materials that can be easily sourced locally enable a respectful installation in natural contexts. These Hermitages put human beings back in touch with nature by lightening the anthropization load that marks all building activities,” said Llabb co-founder Luca Scardulla.

The cabin creates minimum impact on its surrounding landscape, and is in fact,” easily scalable and adaptable into different compositions”. It strategically extends over the edge of a hill. This portion of the cabin features a full-height glazed end, with a sliding door that provides access to a quaint wooden terrace. The terrace is protected by a retractable fabric awning. The Hermitage Cabin is also wholly off-grid! It has been equipped with photovoltaic panels on the roof, as well as a composting toilet and water canisters in the washroom.

“Minimal and flexible, with the expansive glass wall facing the terrace, the space feels light and contemplative,” said Llabb co-founder Federico Robbiano. “The interplay between different levels offers the possibility to better manage storage spaces and technical compartments while contributing to the definition of a graceful atmosphere,” finished Robbiano.

The interiors of the home are warm, wooden, and inviting. It is marked by a long countertop on the right side of the cabin. A letterbox window is positioned above the countertop, and it can be used as a seat or a desk with storage space. On the other side is a cozy seating section, and a fold-out bed. There is a small bathroom at the back of the cabin.

The Hermitage Cabin is a beautifully minimalistic and flexible cabin that can function as a picturesque space to unwind or even practice yoga in! Surrounded by nature on all sides, it is the ultimate escape from city life.

The post This off-grid wooden cabin in the Italian mountains doubles up as a quaint yoga retreat first appeared on Yanko Design.

This bright red cabin is inspired by the traditional Norwegian boathouses

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Norwegian architecture studio Handegård Arkitektur designed a bright red cabin on the seafront in Hankøsundet, Østfold. Called Bathhouse, the cabin is raised on stacks of granite, elevating it above the water, and giving the impression that it is floating in the air. The cabin was heavily influenced by the aesthetics of traditional Norwegian boathouses, especially their red color exteriors.

Designer: Handegård Arkitektur

The cabin was built for a client who lives near the coast and aims to be a ‘modern reinterpretation’ of traditional Norwegian boathouses. The studio used contemporary materials and techniques to create this lively-looking cabin since the client wanted a space that was both modern and traditional.

The cabin’s red-painted finish, tin roof, and thick granite stacks in the water give the impression of a traditional boathouse quite accurately. But at the same time, it has been designed with a twist. The cabin’s living area is covered by a second layer of timber planks, angled at 45 degrees, which aim to create a sense of privacy, especially when the home is seen from the seafront. At the same time, this skin of planks also provides stunning views of the water, from the inside.

“Several of the cladding boards are angled…they close the building towards the back and open it towards the front. When you enter, you experience the purpose – you are sheltered at the same time as having a view of the entire sea,” said the studio.

The red timber planks are connected to the galvanized steel frame of the home, creating an internal space that is open, free-flowing, and uninterrupted. The cabin features two huge red doors, which provide access to a separate bathroom section, and to the cabin itself from the little wooden dock which extends out into the water.

The interiors of the cabin include a living area lined with plywood, a wood-burning stove, a nifty minibar, and a cozy open space for sun loungers. Two full-height swing doors allow the home to be completely opened to the outdoors, creating a lovely indoor-outdoor connection. The bathroom section is placed a little lower than the gabled roof, creating a little mezzanine space, which holds a bed, and that can be accessed with the help of a small ladder.

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This off-grid A-frame cabin in New Zealand is inspired by traditional Maori huts and the local coastal landscape

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RTA Studio built a rustic A-frame cabin called the Dune Dormer on the beautiful Great Barrier Island in New Zealand. The cabin is heavily influenced by the traditional Pacific huts, and this is quite evident in the form it takes of a subtle gable roof hut, which creates a minimal impact on its surrounding landscape. Mimicking the traditional Maori huts, the Dune Dormer’s silhouette reminds you of a harbor standing upright on a dune, helping seafaring owners reach home.

Designer: RTA Studio

Unlike regular A-frame cabins, the Dune Dormer has a spacious and open feel to it, and functions as a cozy three-bedroom family home. Not only is the cabin inspired by traditional Maori huts, but it is also inspired by the local coastal landscape, and it aims to provide the residents with an experience of ‘living with the earth and sleeping with the sky’. It occupies a minimal footprint of 110 square meters and was built while respecting the environment, and local traditions of the region.

The cabin is supported by a concrete foundation and is heavily marked by natural wood, huge bay windows, and light-colored siding. The large bay windows let out rays of light in the evening, illuminating the home against its dark backdrop. The house features two storeys, with the bedrooms being located on the upper floor, allowing each one to be connected to the ocean’s horizon. The ground floor functions as a communal living room/space, where residents can get together and interact.

The Dune Dormer is also completely off-grid and is powered by solar panels located on the roof slopes. A rainwater collection system has also been integrated into the home. The exterior of the cabin features natural wood, and emits a rather raw and organic feel, allowing it to merge seamlessly with its surroundings. No matter where you go in the house, you are always provided with stunning views of the island!

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Cabins that are the ultimate getaway destination for nature lovers

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When the hectic city life starts getting to me, and I’m exhausted from the everyday hustle and bustle – the cabin life begins to call out to me. Cabins are hands down the most relaxing and quintessential getaway option out there. If you’re looking for a peaceful and zen-like vacation that truly allows you to unwind and connect with nature, then a cabin retreat is the best bet for you! And, we’ve curated a collection of beautiful and comfortable cabins for you. From an all-black cabin in the woods designed to support a slow-paced life to a tiny hiker’s cabin perched above the Italian Alpine Valley – these stunning cabins deserve to be your next travel destination!

1. Forest House

Nestled in Bowen Island, British Colombia is a beautiful cabin in the woods designed by SM Studio. Named Forest House, the cabin is deeply influenced by SM Studio’s philosophy of creating low-energy sustainable homes that are built by causing minimal disturbance to the site they are located on

Why is it noteworthy?

Vancouver-based SM Studio uplifted the traditional cabin form and gave it a more contemporary and modernized feel. Surrounded by Douglas firs, and elevated above the rocky landscape – the Forest House is definitely a far cry from the usual cabins we come across. In an attempt to reduce the impact of the home on the forest floor, SM Studio designed it like a bridge, one that connects two massive outcrops, leaving the space below quite clear, and minimizing the need to create a foundation on the rocks.

What we like

  • Built while maintaining a serene relationship with the landscape around it
  • Supports a more slow-paced life

What we dislike

  • The home can accommodate only 3 people, hence it can be considered a small space for certain families

2. Bivacco Brédy

Architecture studio BCW Collective designed an aluminum-clad hikers’ cabin overlooking the Italian Alpine Valley. Called Bivacco Brédy, the bivouac shelter is located in the Aosta Valley and was conceptualized by the family of Claudio Brédy, a local politician and Alpinist who died in 2017 during a mountain excursion.

Why is it noteworthy?

The minimal cabin is perched on a rock slab, 2528 meters above sea level. It has a massive window that provides views of the Grivola and Gran Paradiso mountains and the Gran Paradiso – which Claudio Brédy climbed. The interiors of the cabin are marked with pale timber and feature two large windows which create the sensation of being at one with the surroundings. The windows provide an immersive experience.

What we like

  • The space has been optimized for maximum functionality
  • The cantilevered form of the cabin was adopted to evoke the absence of an important member of a family and community

What we dislike

  • Could be considered a really tiny space if there are multiple hikers

3. Hermitage Cabin

Positioned on the edge of a hill, surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, and overlooking the Trebbia Valley near Genoa, is a minimal off-grid cabin called the Hermitage Cabin. This beautiful wooden cabin was built for “contemplation and introspection”, and occupies only 12 square meters. It can function as a secluded little home or even a cozy yoga retreat!

Why is it noteworthy?

Italian architecture studio Llabb drew inspiration from Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses while designing the Hermitage. The cabin is raised on four wooden and steel supports, which stand on a base of sandstone beds. It features an intriguing modular form created from Okoume marine plywood in Llabb’s carpentry workshop!

What we like

  • The cabin creates minimum impact on its surrounding landscape
  • Completely off-grid

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. Base Cabin x Matt Goodman Architecture Office’s Cabin

Tiny home builder Base Cabin collaborated with Matt Goodman Architecture Office to create this super minimalistic tiny home on wheels inspired by the simplicity of livestock sheds. The clean and simple home was designed to beautifully merge with farms, vineyards, or even the Australian bush.

Why is it noteworthy?

The aim was to ensure that the residents feel one with the surroundings and that there is no sense of separation between the home and the landscape. The design doesn’t detract from the actual picturesque landscape but provides shelter for the humans to occupy.

What we like

  • Although the home occupies a tiny footprint, it is made to feel more spacious than it is, owing to the placement of operable windows, that provide lovely views, irrespective of where you are standing

What we dislike

  • The house has enough sleeping space for only two people

5. Shiship

The utility of shipping containers in architecture is quite established now – whether for building shelters for homeless people, beautiful modern homes, or even cabins in the wood! And one such stunning seasonal cabin made from a repurposed shipping container is the Shiship Cabin by Repère Boréal. Shiship quite literally means ‘duck’ in the indigenous Innu language, and the cabin is located in Quebec, Canada.

Why is it noteworthy?

The 31-foot long and 8-foot wide cabin is the modern version of a wilderness cabin and has been packed with space-saving custom-made furniture designs, as well as other smart features. The exterior of the cabin has been clad with durable cedar wood planks, creating a thick frame, that provides a natural yet contemporary aesthetic to it.

What we like

  • The kitchen and bed have a subtle connection in the form of a built-in wine rack, which also functions as a night table, hence uniting the two spaces

What we dislike

  • The cabin is a bit cramped

6. Find Sanctuary

Charlie Hammond spent years working in London’s start-up culture, which led him to feel perpetually exhausted and stressed. He knew he needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan city, and he finally zoned in on the West Coast. He moved to Los Angeles since it provided not only the comfort of a big city but also quiet access to nature. His time in LA, and the peace of mind he acquired there, inspired him to provide a similar experience to other frazzled workers!

Why is it noteworthy?

Hammond then brought to life his idea, ‘Find Sanctuary’. Find Sanctuary is a renewed and revamped version of remote working. It includes a collection of 40 tiny cabins in Big Bear, California that can be rented, providing exhausted employees with an opportunity to work in a peaceful environment, and regain some of their composure.

What we like

  • Amped with stunning views of the surrounding mountains
  • The wooden cabin has been equipped with high-speed WiFi, and a built-in desk with a stunning view as well, to make your workday efficient and serene

What we dislike

  • It’s not released yet!

7. The Boundary Point Cabin

Ethereally floating above a lake in British Columbia, the Boundary Point Cabin was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson as a vacation home for an extended family to gather and spend the summer every year. Perched on the hillside, over a rocky outcropping, the cabin features an intriguing wedge-like form, that allows it to harmoniously integrate with its landscape.

Why is it noteworthy?

The 2500-square foot home was constructed in 2020 on a slope marked with beautiful trees – from Douglas firs to cedars and pine trees. It features black cedar siding which enables the home to simply merge with the trees around it, creating a living space that is completely at one with its surroundings. The original cabin was quite modest and rustic and was transformed by Jackson into a contemporary cabin with floor-to-ceiling wood paneling and narrow angular slats.

What we like

  • Designed to allow residents to stay connected to nature
  • The interior of the home is an interesting contrast to the exterior

What we dislike

  • We would love to have a glass-paneled wall to enjoy the picturesque views more easily than a traditional balcony!

8. Tind

David and Jeanette Reiss-Andersen, cofounders of the Oslo-based tiny home company Norske Mikrohus, decided to build an eco-friendly and affordable alternative to the pricier standard-size homes available on the market.” We wanted to create something for people looking for a way out of the rental and mortgage markets—something for those who want easy access to nature and to live with fewer possessions,” said David. And their efforts led to the birth of ‘Tind’ – a beautiful wood-wrapped tiny home built in Norwegian style.

Why is it noteworthy?

Not only is Tind built from environmentally friendly Nordic materials, but it was also designed to withstand Nordic weather conditions. Tind was designed with one important goal in mind – to encourage flexibility and freedom. It’s a home you can move around in and take wherever you want to.

What we like

  • Sustainable + eco-friendly
  • Inspired by Norwegian aesthetics

What we dislike

  • Measuring only 70 square feet, the home promotes a solitary lifestyle with no option to expand the space.

9. The Buck Mountain Cabin

Situated on Orcas Island, which is a part of an archipelago called San Juan islands, is the Buck Mountain Cabin. The beautiful cedar-clad cabin was built by embracing the original site and its conditions, and by ensuring that minimal disturbance was caused to it. A steep grade and a narrow clearing created by a rock outcropping were a few of the challenges faced by the architects, but they encouraged the clients to focus on these features as they are unique to San Juan.

Why is it noteworthy?

The grassy basalt-rock outcroppings set within a Douglas fir and Pacific madrone forest were used to enhance and elevate the cabin. The east side of the 1527 square feet cabin is anchored to an outcrop, while the west side interestingly cantilevers over the entire site, almost 22 feet above the ground, and provides beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The large trees around the site weren’t torn down which also ensured that the site was minimally disturbed. The addition of cantilevers, and point-load wooden columns with small footings helped this cause as well.

What we like

  • Large protective overhangs and south-facing clearstory windows allow sunlight to generously stream in, especially during winter
  • A stunning patio floats over the site and can be accessed via a glass door

What we dislike

  • The designers avoided precious or complicated materials and systems, taking away from the luxury element the interiors could have

10. The UHU Cabin

Located in the midst of a boreal forest, in the heart of Charlevoix, Canada is a tiny cabin raised on stilts called ‘UHU’. Quite literally translating to ‘owl’ in the Innu language, the UHU cabin is nested 12 meters in the air, with stunning views of the Saint-Laurence river to greet you every morning. Designed by Repère Boréal, UHU is the ultimate weekend getaway you’ve been searching for.

Why is it noteworthy?

The triangular cabin features a glazed facade which allows for generous views of the surrounding forest and green landscape. You can enter the cabin via an enclosed spiral staircase, and a 6-meter bridge. Although compact in size, the UHU cabin is equipped with all the amenities you need for a comfortable and cozy stay.

What we like

  • Supported by stilts, allowing it to be comfortably positioned 12 meters in the air, so the views from within the cabin are going to be undoubtedly exquisite

What we dislike

  • Can be considered an extremely tiny space, especially for those who fear heights

The post Cabins that are the ultimate getaway destination for nature lovers first appeared on Yanko Design.