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Surrounded by the Apennine Mountains and perched on the side of a hill overlooking the Trebbia Valley near Genoa, it is a grid-free minimal 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 house or even a cozy yoga retreat!
Designer: Llabb
Italian architecture studio Llabb drew inspiration from Scandinavian cottages and Japanese tea houses when designing the Hermitage. The cabin rises on four wooden and steel supports resting on sandstone beds. In Llabb’s carpentry workshop, Okoume has an intriguing modular form created from marine plywood!
“Simplicity of construction, minimal impact on the land and the use of natural materials that are readily available locally ensure a respectful installation in natural contexts. “These Retreats put people back in touch with nature by relieving the burden of anthropization that has plagued all construction activities,” said Luca Scardulla, co-founder of Llabb.
The cabin has minimal impact on the surrounding landscape and is actually “easily scalable and adaptable to different compositions”. It runs strategically along the side of a hill. This part of the cabin has a full-height glazed end with a sliding door that provides access to an interesting wooden deck. The terrace is protected by a retractable fabric awning. The Hermitage Cabin is also completely off-grid! In addition to photovoltaic panels on the roof, there is a composting toilet and water bins in the toilet.
“With the large glass wall facing the terrace, it’s minimal and flexible, the space feels light and thoughtful,” said Federico Robbiano, Llabb’s co-founder. “The interplay between the different levels contributes to the definition of an elegant atmosphere, while offering the possibility to better manage storage spaces and technical compartments,” Robbiano concluded.
The interiors of the house are warm, wooden and inviting. It is marked by a long bench on the right side of the cabinet. Above the bench is a mailbox window and can be used as a seat or a table with storage. On the other side is a comfortable sitting area and a folding bed. There is a small bathroom at the back of the cabin.
Hermitage Cabin is a beautiful, minimalist and flexible cabin that can function as a picturesque space to unwind or even practice yoga inside! The ultimate escape from city life, surrounded by nature.
