PROJECTS & HOSPITALITY
CABINS
Iceland
Off-the-grid living The contemporary evolution of the cabin meets new expressions of luxury escapism, even becoming a new form of hospitality and model for the residential sector
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abin, hut, hytte, cottage, chalet, lodge, dacha. Each culture has its own term. There are few differences between them and some features shared in common: square meters, which generally vary from 10 to 50, the degree of comfort from the interior design, and the architectural form, more or less archetypal; while materials (strictly sustainable, and wood is king) and location (being immersed in nature, whether by the sea, mountain, woods or countryside) are their raison d’être. Their popularity is nothing new, but their importance has gradually grown over the years together with a more careful, sophisticated design, and recently has become a full-fledged trend and even a symbol of luxury escapism. Historically these wooden constructions had a purely practical, functional role as shelters for a temporary residence for travelers and mountaineers, spare seasonal homes, or working-class homes; now they have become places of hospitality or all-around residential accommodations. Attention paid to these buildings and their increased 150 | IFDM
desirability are directly related to a widespread, shared sentiment across the globe: the pursuit for authentic experiences, in contact with an invigorating and regenerating nature, far from the hyper-connectivity of everyday life. In a phrase: “Off-the-grid” experiences. The world of design has come to give a new formal look to these structures, using only primary forms with great creativity, “sprucing up” the original type while leaving its allure intact; more functional and aesthetically appealing design elements are added though they are still marked by a high degree of minimalism; they make use of new technologies, materials, and energy sources to create a structure that is as sustainable as possible and fits well into the context. Having cast aside Spartan overtones, cabins have become key places for stay experiences, which is why they are often promoted by the hospitality sector and for high-level tourism and have also become a model, on a larger scale, for the residential sector that makes this outdoor living a true lifestyle to be enjoyed daily.
Project: The Mountain Refuge Architects: Massimo Gnocchi, Paolo Danesi Photo credits: Courtesy of the architects Project: Cabin ANNA Architects: Caspar Schols Photo credits: Tõnu Tunnel & Jorrit ‘t Hoen Project: Seljalandsfoss Horizons Architects: Davíð Kristján Pitt Photo credits: Åsa Steinars, Courtesy of Seljalandsfoss Horizons Project: 48° Nord Architects: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter with ASP Architecture Photo credits: Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau Project: Hytte Architects: Koto Design Interior Designer: Aylott + Van Tromp Photo credits: Merge Visualisation Project: House LO Architects: Ateliér Lina Bellovičová Photo credits: BoysPlayNice Project: Lakeside Cabin Architects: Atelier Schwimmer Photo credits: Adrien Williams
Author: Veronica Orsi
