Since the dawn of time, humans have built shelters in the wilderness to protect them from storms and dangers lurking in the dark. Society may have changed, but the yearning persists -- with urbanites in particular seeking to escape the stresses of city life and rekindle their connection with nature.
Increasingly, these little hideouts have evolved from simple shacks to sophisticated examples of ultra-compact architecture. Some of the most exquisite of these are featured in Rock the Shack, a new book spanning the world of beautiful bolt-holes, classy cabins and luxurious lairs.
Squish Studio, Canada
This sharp-edged studio in a breathtaking location in Canada's Newfoundland is part of a small artist community where painters, filmmakers, sculptors and other creators are chosen to spend between two weeks and four months. It's the brainchild of architect Todd Saunders, who wanted the buildings to act as beacons on the coastline: "I wanted the studios to be punctuations in the landscape."
There is poetry in the simplicity of the design coupled with the dramatic landscape, and one of the most prominent features is a large glass door: " I wanted artists to feel that when they are walking toward the studio, all they can see is a door into a new world" says Saunders.
Words by Milena Veselinovic
Increasingly, these little hideouts have evolved from simple shacks to sophisticated examples of ultra-compact architecture. Some of the most exquisite of these are featured in Rock the Shack, a new book spanning the world of beautiful bolt-holes, classy cabins and luxurious lairs.
Squish Studio, Canada
This sharp-edged studio in a breathtaking location in Canada's Newfoundland is part of a small artist community where painters, filmmakers, sculptors and other creators are chosen to spend between two weeks and four months. It's the brainchild of architect Todd Saunders, who wanted the buildings to act as beacons on the coastline: "I wanted the studios to be punctuations in the landscape."
There is poetry in the simplicity of the design coupled with the dramatic landscape, and one of the most prominent features is a large glass door: " I wanted artists to feel that when they are walking toward the studio, all they can see is a door into a new world" says Saunders.
Words by Milena Veselinovic
Blue Cone (Treehotel), Sweden
Boldly standing out among the trees, this bright crimson hotel room in the Swedish countryside is almost child-like in its outer design. The beautifully simplified structure almost resembles a Lego block, and the guiding idea behind the Sandell Sandberg studio's design was to make it accessible.
Unlike most other forest cottages, Blue Cone is not meant to blend in with the surroundings, but act as a prominent landmark that attracts visitors from a far.
Boldly standing out among the trees, this bright crimson hotel room in the Swedish countryside is almost child-like in its outer design. The beautifully simplified structure almost resembles a Lego block, and the guiding idea behind the Sandell Sandberg studio's design was to make it accessible.
Unlike most other forest cottages, Blue Cone is not meant to blend in with the surroundings, but act as a prominent landmark that attracts visitors from a far.
Forest House, Germany
The dark wooded facade and gently overhanging roof of this cottage south of Berlin evoke the mystery of fairy tales and dwellings in the deep forest. The large bay window that follows the length of the facade allows inhabitants to be immersed in the nature which surrounds them, even in cold weather. The architects, Atelier St Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, made sure they referenced the simplicity of the older house that previously stood on the site.
The dark wooded facade and gently overhanging roof of this cottage south of Berlin evoke the mystery of fairy tales and dwellings in the deep forest. The large bay window that follows the length of the facade allows inhabitants to be immersed in the nature which surrounds them, even in cold weather. The architects, Atelier St Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH, made sure they referenced the simplicity of the older house that previously stood on the site.
Fragile Shelter, Japan
This shack, designed by Hidemi Nishida Studio, lights up as an inviting, warm sanctuary in a snow-filled landscape. Translucent panels give a ghostly atmosphere, but true to its name, the small house provides shelter to weary travelers in the deep forest.
This shack, designed by Hidemi Nishida Studio, lights up as an inviting, warm sanctuary in a snow-filled landscape. Translucent panels give a ghostly atmosphere, but true to its name, the small house provides shelter to weary travelers in the deep forest.
Juniper House, Sweden
This beautifully camouflaged house was a project of personal significance for architect Hans Murman, who designed it as a weekend getaway for his family. Set within a grove of tall junipers, the exterior is wrapped in a cloth photographic reproduction of the surrounding trees, giving it a sense of calm and oneness with the nature. Through the low-placed windows, inhabitants can sneak a peak at wild rabbits scurrying along the grass in the morning.
This beautifully camouflaged house was a project of personal significance for architect Hans Murman, who designed it as a weekend getaway for his family. Set within a grove of tall junipers, the exterior is wrapped in a cloth photographic reproduction of the surrounding trees, giving it a sense of calm and oneness with the nature. Through the low-placed windows, inhabitants can sneak a peak at wild rabbits scurrying along the grass in the morning.
Hypercubus, Austria
This petite tilted house was developed to help encourage regional tourism, and can easily be transported wherever it's needed, based on demand. There is enough space to comfortably accommodate two people, and each room comes with its own sink and toilet. The architects, Studio WG3, envisaged for several units to be brought together for big events, creating a whimsical village on an open plain.
This petite tilted house was developed to help encourage regional tourism, and can easily be transported wherever it's needed, based on demand. There is enough space to comfortably accommodate two people, and each room comes with its own sink and toilet. The architects, Studio WG3, envisaged for several units to be brought together for big events, creating a whimsical village on an open plain.
Juvet Landscape Hotel, Norway
This unusual hotel capitalizes on its stunning location in the Norwegian wilderness. Built as a block structure, the building rests on a set of steel rods drilled into the rocks beneath. Creators, Jensen & Skodvin Architects left the breathtaking topography intact, with some walls made entirely of glass to give a view of the ever changing landscape beyond.
This unusual hotel capitalizes on its stunning location in the Norwegian wilderness. Built as a block structure, the building rests on a set of steel rods drilled into the rocks beneath. Creators, Jensen & Skodvin Architects left the breathtaking topography intact, with some walls made entirely of glass to give a view of the ever changing landscape beyond.
Polyhedron Habitable, Colombia
A perfect spot to relax and unwind, this geometric hideout in the back of a Bogota garden is based on a child's understanding of shapes. The pod has a built-in drawing area, and little windows on the side and on top, which let daylight and fresh air in.
A perfect spot to relax and unwind, this geometric hideout in the back of a Bogota garden is based on a child's understanding of shapes. The pod has a built-in drawing area, and little windows on the side and on top, which let daylight and fresh air in.
The Cabin (Treehotel), Sweden
Hovering high up above a river valley, this gravity-defying tree-house looks almost like a futuristic ship lodged between the forest's ancient trees. It's the brainchild of the architectural sibling duo M?rten and Gustav Cyrén who got the idea while on a fishing trip in the Russian forest: "The weather was poor and the fishing equally bad, so we huddled around the campfire and started talking about a remote guesthouse in Sweden that we knew of. Something special was needed to put the spotlight on this place, with its nature and its dramatic change of seasons."
The cabin is accessed is through a bridge that cuts through the forest floor, and inside the bed is centrally located so that the stunning panorama is the first thing you see when you wake up.
Hovering high up above a river valley, this gravity-defying tree-house looks almost like a futuristic ship lodged between the forest's ancient trees. It's the brainchild of the architectural sibling duo M?rten and Gustav Cyrén who got the idea while on a fishing trip in the Russian forest: "The weather was poor and the fishing equally bad, so we huddled around the campfire and started talking about a remote guesthouse in Sweden that we knew of. Something special was needed to put the spotlight on this place, with its nature and its dramatic change of seasons."
The cabin is accessed is through a bridge that cuts through the forest floor, and inside the bed is centrally located so that the stunning panorama is the first thing you see when you wake up.
The Hackney Shed, UK
Situated in the back garden of a typical east London Victorian townhouse, this shack is both a place of work and relaxation. Architect Gurmeet Sian says that the inspiration for the design came from clients themselves:" They created a wish list. They wanted a bit of a haven where they could read, look at stars, relax, but also work. " The result was a functional and warm urban retreat.
Situated in the back garden of a typical east London Victorian townhouse, this shack is both a place of work and relaxation. Architect Gurmeet Sian says that the inspiration for the design came from clients themselves:" They created a wish list. They wanted a bit of a haven where they could read, look at stars, relax, but also work. " The result was a functional and warm urban retreat.
With Held, Canada
Perched on the edge of a lake, this photographer's studio is a glass marvel open to the landscape on all sides. One of the priorities for the architects, Toronto-based studio GH3, was to create a space bathed in light, a crucial demand for the client's professional needs. When the night falls, the house lights up as a lantern on the edge of the water.
Perched on the edge of a lake, this photographer's studio is a glass marvel open to the landscape on all sides. One of the priorities for the architects, Toronto-based studio GH3, was to create a space bathed in light, a crucial demand for the client's professional needs. When the night falls, the house lights up as a lantern on the edge of the water.
Scholar's Library, U.S.
Located in the woodland of America's north-east, this remote study is a scholar's dream. The ground floor houses stacks of books and is completely closed to the outdoors, but the first floor opens up to sweeping views on all sides. Designed by Gluck+ to be engaged rather then shut off from its surroundings, this study is a haven for serene and solitary work.
Located in the woodland of America's north-east, this remote study is a scholar's dream. The ground floor houses stacks of books and is completely closed to the outdoors, but the first floor opens up to sweeping views on all sides. Designed by Gluck+ to be engaged rather then shut off from its surroundings, this study is a haven for serene and solitary work.
House at the Pyrenees
This triangular house positioned dramatically in front of a stunning vista in a tiny hamlet in the Spanish Pyrenees is a renovation of an old farmhouse. The architects Cadaval & Sola-Morales wanted to keep as many traditional features as possible, but still convey a modern, contemporary feel. The roof is made of two sloping planes which open up views of both the valley in front, and mountain summit behind.
This triangular house positioned dramatically in front of a stunning vista in a tiny hamlet in the Spanish Pyrenees is a renovation of an old farmhouse. The architects Cadaval & Sola-Morales wanted to keep as many traditional features as possible, but still convey a modern, contemporary feel. The roof is made of two sloping planes which open up views of both the valley in front, and mountain summit behind.