Environmental Cabin Provides A “Close-Up” with Nature

This beautifully crafted, minimalist cabin can be found amongst the wildness of the Wolfurt region in Austria. Called the House for the Forest Owls, the retreat has been designed by Bernd Riegger, and acts as a bridge between man and nature. The structure was commissioned by Forest Owls, an association that promotes the management of forests and experiential learning.

The simple, but elegant structure is a prime example of ecologically/environmentally conscious architecture that aims to encourage an interactive experience, allowing students and scientists to observe the surrounding woodlands with a minimum of disruption the natural habitat.

The cabin sits rather quietly among the surrounding vegetation. It’s a simple structure built on a slab foundation. The exterior framing is left open to the elements and (what looks like) a grey slate roof provides a pleasant contrast to the light wood studs. The interior of the retreat is clad (and braced) by what looks to be the same light wood as found on the outside. A vaulted ceiling has been left open and – like the exterior – the rafters are exposed and on display.

The external horizontal arrangement wood is intended to act as a series of shelves, providing a storage nook for any of the children’s forest finds.

From the architects: “The latitude forest serves as a holistic sensory perception and sensory training, and intense movement experiences in nature. Fairy tale and fantasy stimulating play opportunities through hands-on learning of ecological contexts.”

The cabin cost 18,000 Euro ($25,000) to build, and helps to enrich local research, while also providing a non-intrusive method of learning for students.

For more cabins check out this off-grid island getaway by Septembre Architecture, or the EDGE, a modern cabin that combines green technologies and function into a small beautifully designed space. See all cabins.

Via Inhabitat
Photos: Adolf Bereuter