This tiny cabin is built on two thick wooden sleds so it can be towed off the beach and out of harm´s way. Designed by Crosson Architects, the Hut on Sleds is a holiday home built just over two hours drive from Aukland, New Zealand, and finds its shape inspired by lifeguard towers common on beaches around the world. The aesthetic is naturalistic, with unpainted timber evocative of wind and sand-blasted timber of beach-side structures. The fittings and mechanics are industrial and exposed giving the structure an industrial vibe that is both inviting and informative. A huge shutter folds up across the exterior to reveal and shade a two-storey glazed facade, which has an open-plan living room and mezzanine bedroom behind. Measuring a mere 40 square metres, the tiny cabin can accommodate a family of five, and is designed to close up against the elements when not in use. And be sure to check 15 modern tiny houses.

Helping people disconnect with CABN, builders of architectural, off-grid tiny homes. CABNs are entirely self-sustainable and can be placed on beautiful parcels of land all over Australia, designed to effortlessly blend in with the Australian landscape. CABN’s houses are designed to let individuals, couples and families disconnect from city life with off-grid, handcrafted, sustainable, and eco-friendly tiny houses in some of South Australia’s most stunning and stimulating landscapes. For Michael Lamprell, CABN’s creator, it was a mix of transcendental meditation and a chance encounter that planned the seed to go off-grid. CABN source as much local materials as possible, from design to build, food to firewood. The 100 percent-sustainable houses have composting toilets, rainwater catchment and solar power. The whole philosophy is to live, leaving no footprint. Inside each CABN, there’s a king or queen bed, toilet, shower, heater, two-burner kitchen stove, full-size sink, mini freezer fridge and cooking tools. CABN works for people who are serious about downsizing their life, as well as those looking for a temporary lifestyle change, even if it’s just for the weekend. To continue – please check 15 modern tiny houses.

The HT refuge by Felipe Campolina is a micro-habitat created as a cozy and affordable solution for those who enjoy a weekend escape from the city. Proposed as fast construction system, the 40 sq.m module uses prefabricated blocks combined with small sections of steel that shape the main structure in the form of a large truss. Its side facade is rotated 45 degrees from the floor, in a triangular shape, which ensures good stability and defines the building’s intricate frame. Campolina has designed the HT refuge mainly as a getaway solution, but it can also be used in other situations, such as large commercial/housing complexes in urban scenarios. The module can be expanded on both sides to have different configurations sizes, while its basic version occupies a projection of 27 sq.m on the ground (3.20 x 8.45 m), and is divided in two floors connected by a ladder. The Brazilian architect has used autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) – a lightweight, precast foam version of the material – for the lateral closures, providing low-cost solution without compromising the solid, welcoming character of the interior and exterior environment. Combining industrial processes and traditional masonry work, the micro-habitat can adapt to any region or cultural situation, since prefabricated concrete blocks and steel pipes can be produced under both conditions. And don’t forget to check 15 modern tiny houses

You can order this tiny prefab cabin for under $22K and place it anywhere you desire. Mono is the culmination of years of engineering and design, with every detail meticulously planned, and every material tirelessly sourced. The little retreat measures nine feet wide, 12 feet high, and 16 feet across, including a four-foot covered deck. These measurements are intentional, as they require no permits in most of North America. The compact structure uses a single-engineered truss frame that makes it capable of withstanding harsh weather, from heavy snow, to downpours, to heat. ANd be sure to check our list fo 15 modern tiny houses.

Finnish renewable energy company Neste has created the Nolla cabin, a prototype of a zero emission housing you can erect anywhere – with no traces left behind. The Nolla (zero) cabin, designed by Finnish designer Robin Falck, is located just outside Helsinki city center, on Vallisaari island. The cabin has been built from sustainable materials and is designed for a simple lifestyle with minimal to no emissions, taking into account the surrounding nature in every respect. Inside the cabin, the furnishings have been kept minimal. The energy supply of the cabin is entirely renewable; electricity is generated by solar panels, whilst the Wallas stove, reserved for cooking and heating, runs entirely on Neste MY Renewable Diesel, made 100% from waste and residue. Also we recommend you to check 15 modern tiny houses and 15 awesome tree houses.

Like the Nordic gods that they represent, these cabins by Bartosz Domiczek are just a concept, but they are very beautiful. Still, the Northern Wisps Cabins are one concept we would like to see come to life. Ensconced in the Icelandic Thórsmörk (Valley of Thor), a mountain ridge in Iceland situated between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökul and Tindfjallajökull are these luminous, numinous cabins designed by Polish architect Bartosz Domiczek. Domiczek submitted the design as an entry to Ronen Bekerman’s Cabins 3d Challenge. The cabins are huge white monoliths, like the Nordic Frost Giants that Odin extinguished. Their interior is warmly decorated, and comfortable. The cabins stand boldly on the edge of the valley, arranged with the idea of Nordic gods standing in a row on a mountain ridge. Also be sure to check other creative cabins: Skyli Trekking Cabin and Trailer.

Hidden in the peaceful forest of the Argentinian shore on a 200 square meters area, every child’s dream finally comes true: a life-size house in the forest. The architect Luciano Kruk stayed true to his “square” style and designed the house on two floors shaping it as a converted container. The result is a unique building that harmoniously combines wood and concrete. In order to meet its client’s needs and to respect the environment, the exterior walls look very rudimentary and even dilapidated from afar, but up close, they suddenly reveal a very contemporary and minimalist style.

Invisible Studio built this mobile micro home at its woodland studio near Bath, England, for just £20,000, thanks to the use of salvaged materials and locally grown timber. The UK architecture office built the 40-square-metre gabled structure called Trailer out of unseasoned timber sourced the woodland surrounding its studio, as well as materials saved from construction waste. “The project aims to provide a super low cost, versatile, useable space that could act as a kit of parts for any self builder to improvise around or easily adapt,” said Piers Tayler, architect and founder of Invisible Studio. “While conceived as a domestic space, it could easily function as a workspace or something else.”

Trailer is designed so it can be legally transported on Britain’s roads. A wheeled bogie was used to tow the base of the structure into place, then slid out from under the steel frame and used to transport prefabricated timber frames to the woodland site. At both gable ends interlocking polycarbonate panels allow natural light to fill the space, while window openings are cut into the longer sides and skylights set into the roof. The structure is clad in corrugated fibreglass and steel, and the interior is lined in sheets of pre-used shuttering plywood. The joinery, including the two ladders, are made from plywood offcuts. The corrugated material overhangs at either end, creating a sheltered porch where outdoor shoes can be left.

The structure is clad in corrugated fibreglass and steel, and the interior is lined in sheets of pre-used shuttering plywood. The joinery, including the two ladders, are made from plywood offcuts. The corrugated material overhangs at either end, creating a sheltered porch where outdoor shoes can be left. Two ladders give access to two sleeping platforms at either end of the home, one of which is accessed via a wooden walkway suspended over the main space. Great idea! And if you like such cozy cabins in a forest we recommend you to check our list of 15 coolest treehouses around the world.

In the mountains of San Esteban, Chile, a small cabin was designed as a retreat for those arriving and departing on treks who need a place to rest and reflect on their expedition. Gonzalo Iturriaga Arquitectos is behind the Mountaineer’s Refuge, designed to include a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom within a geometric structure. The entrance is located within one of the structure’s folds, while the large, window-filled opening on the back appears as if it was cut out of the volume. The cabin was built on top of piles suspended above the ground allowing ventilation from all sides. The exterior is clad in vertical pine boards with metal details. The interior is designed with the bedroom and storage room on one end, which holds the mountaineering equipment. The other side houses the open living space with views of the mountain. If you liked this cabin you might be interested in the following two cabins – Skyli Trekking Cabin and Allandale Houses.

Comprised of a pair of cedar-clad structures, Big Cabin | Little Cabin by Renée del Gaudio Architecture reimagines the vernacular architecture of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain region. The two building are reminiscent of traditional cabins with gabled roofs and timber siding. The dark facade mimics the surrounding forest while a plywood-lined interior compliments the rustic palette. Perched on a rocky cliffside, the interior is exposed to sweeping views ranging from the Sangre de Cristo peaks to the South Platte River, courtesy of expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing. And don’t forget to check our list of the most beautiful wooden houses.

Set along the trails of Iceland, the Skyli Trekking Cabin is a refuge for hikers from the harsh elements. The structure is comprised of four gabled roofs. Although it resembles a tent, this shelter is clad in a steel facade to protect you from the elements. A bright blue color makes it easily visible in the rugged landscape while also paying homage to the architecture of the country’s capital. The interior is lined with cross-laminated timber and features enough fold-out beds for up to 15 people, water, power, and even emergency supplies. Beneath each peak, large triangular windows take advantage of the surrounding scenery. Its prefabricated design allows for materials to be easily transported by helicopter. Once they’re delivered, the assembly can be completed in as little as a couple days.

Slovenian architecture firm OFIS Architects developed a living unit. Research for the cabin was initiated by OFIS Architects and Permiz, C+C, C28 and AKT to develop a self-contained wooden shell, flexible and adaptable for different locations, climate conditions and terrains. This compact house can be used as holiday cabin, a hideaway, treehouse or even a temporary habitation for research. OFIS Architects’ basic living unit (4.50 m x 2.50 m x 2.70 m) offers accommodation, including a kitchen, bathroom, bed and seats. It joins horizontally and/or vertically and can be upgraded to twins-sized, triplets or similar. The structure is made using timber frames, which are reinforced by plywood boards on both sides. The cabin can be fixed on the ground either by steel anchors or removable concrete cubes. The interior treatment is changeable and flexible and the unit furnishings can be used in various site contexts.

Architect Chris Tate has designed this simple tent-like cabin that’s surrounded by trees and located on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. Wanting to capture the back-to-basics simplicity of camping, Chris designed the Tent House with two levels that feature a main floor with the living, dining, kitchen and bathroom, and a top floor with the bedroom. Large windows on one end of the small house as well as smaller ones on the side of the building provide plenty of sunlight, while the white interior helps to reflect the light and is a strong contrast to the black exterior. The only black on the interior of the space is in the kitchen and the bathroom door. The kitchen has been designed to perfectly fit the triangular shape of the space, with the angles accentuated by the strong contrasting lines of the cabinetry. Separating the living area from the kitchen is a spiral staircase leading to the bedroom. The bedroom which has a view of the treetops, also has draped curtains, much like the entryway to a tent. At night, the interior of the cabin is lit up like a lantern.

At just a mere 98 square feet, the Micro Cabin designed by LEA, Larocque Elder Architects, Architectes Inc. can stand on its own in the dense Ontario forest. The cozy retreat operates completely off-grid, warmed by a wood-burning stove and lit by natural light, creating the most honest escape you can get from your everyday life. Its dark timber cladding stands out against the snowy landscape, contrasted by the interior’s natural plywood sheathing. A lofted bedroom sits above the ground floor living area to make the most of its modest size.

With winter coming closer by the day, we’re getting a little day-dreamy about escaping the slush, sleet, and grime of the city and heading into the woods. The Hemmelig Rom Cabin will be an ideal getaway! The cabin (whose name translates to ‘Secret Room’ from Norwegian) is everything you would want out of a minimalist getaway. The wooden exterior is stained a stark black that stands out from the snowy woods much like the dark bark of the surrounding leafless trees – all while the warm exterior invites occupants in to recover from long hikes with a warm wood stove and plenty of books. What makes this guest-house located on a private property in upstate New York that much more unique, is how the actual books are stored. The architectural firm in charge of the project, Studio Padron, designed the walls in a manner that created a natural bookshelf. Logs, after aging for years on site, were stacked in a manner that left gaps along both walls and allowed for a library worth of books to be stored in the cabin. The result? The perfect cabin for the bookworm looking to leave the hustle and bustle behind.

Surrounded by a Hemlock forest in Quebec, Canada, is a cabin for a couple of young professionals and their two children. Designed by architect Jean Verville, the cabin is tucked away into a slightly sloped lot. Exterior steps lead down to a terrace that’s covered by the cantilevered overhang. The overhanging exterior ceiling and lighting flows through to the interior. On the main living level, there’s a kitchen, dining room and lounge. There’s also a bright red space that’s designated for hanging up coats and taking off boots. The kitchen has been kept simple, and a shelf along the wall hides additional lighting. Behind the kitchen are the stairs that lead to the upper floors. The parents bedroom and bathroom both have large windows that let plenty of natural light in and frame the surrounding forest. The kids bedroom has a lofted play space that’s reached via the shelves that also double as a ladder. In the attic there is plenty of space for the children to play.

The Djerassi Resident Artists Program, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is a place where creatives can go to rejuvenate their spirit and get some serious work done. To achieve this, it starts with the architecture – the spaces must be conducive to writing. Architect Cass Calder Smith was commissioned to design lodging for the program. Called the Diane Middlebrook Studios, the project brief was left open-ended. The project consists of four new studios. The property consists of over 600 acres of rolling hills, forests and meadows high in the coastal hills of Woodside, CA. The new building extends the existing campus over a meadow approximately 100 yards from the main building, which was originally a cattle barn dating back from when the property was a working ranch. The project was conceived as a memorial to Diane Middlebrook, an accomplished writer and teacher, and late wife of program founder Carl Djerassi. Though the studios are designed to be used by artists of all disciplines, special attention was made to cater to the specific needs of writers, where quiet contemplation, free from distraction, is a welcome amenity. The building itself is actually a cluster of four separate one-room studios, grouped together under a fifth structure, a free-standing steel canopy supporting a solar panel array over the eastern ends and pedestrian pathway connecting the four studios. The siting of building takes advantage of uninterrupted views of the Pacific coast to the southwest, and the coastal ridgeline to the east. These views are captured within each studio by the strategic placement of doors and windows, where the distractions of the everyday movement of cars and people are unseen. Decor wise, each studio features a set of stylish basics – a bed, writing desk, and chair. A sliding glass door faces south and passively heats the interior, in addition to the galvanized metal roof with solar panels. Although they’re relatively simple units, this is perfect for achieving interruption-free solitude and natural beauty that so many people crave.

Architecture firm Lund Hagem have designed a small cabin, located in Sandefjord, Norway. The site was originally home to two small sheds, which have since been replaced by the cabin. Nestled between large rocks and dense vegetation, the new building has a roof that fits around the shapes of the rocks. Small pathways provide access to the cabin. At the rear of the cabin is an outdoor space with table and chairs, and a fireplace. Inside the cabin, glass walls provide views of the surrounding nature. At the front of the cabin, there are water views. An acoustic ceiling is covered with woven oak strips to mask joints in the panels making it one continuous surface. There is another fireplace inside the small living space. The cabin also has a suspended bed, and a bathroom. A custom concrete bench flows from the inside to the outside. A hallway lined with glass, leads you to the bathroom. A small path has been added between the window and the rock.

In the Australian state of Victoria sits Moonlight Cabin. The stunning structure was designed by local firm Jackson Clements Burrows Architects for a young family, intended to give them refuge while providing sweeping views of the gorgeous locale. The modern building comprises a single story with a living room and kitchen at one end and sleeping space in the rear. An adjoining area of sheltered decking provides a protected look at the outdoors. It has a rustic timber construction, and proves that a building can dazzle with just this single material – the perforated screens, although simple in design and patterning, create a radiating display when the house is lit at night.

Fourth generation wood-working artisan Dan Pauly transforms reclaimed wood into diminutive cabins that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale. Whether it’s a sauna, outhouse, shed, or actual home, the craftsman is able to create structures that are reminiscent of a Tim Burton film – offering a quirky balance of gothic culture and playfulness. As it turns out, there’s even a significant history behind these whimsical designs. Pauly’s great-grandfather emigrated from Switzerland to the U.S. in the 1800s and began the artisanal craft of barn building. Since then, the Pauly family has continued this impressive trade, making it part of their legacy for close to two centuries. “As I uncover an old barn or shed,” Pauly explains on his website, “I realize that it could be the same lumber that my great-grandfather used more than 100 years ago. I think that respect for the craftsmen and craftswomen of the past, and for the wood they used, make a difference in each new piece I create. Until you have dismantled an old barn, you can’t imagine the painstaking effort it took from Old-World craftsmen to erect it. They were each a work of art.”