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Adjustable Cabin Featuring Local Timber and Movable Panels for Enhanced User Experience

Author:
Melina Ocampo Bastidas
Adjustable Cabin Featuring Local Timber and Movable Panels for Enhanced User Experience

Project in-detail

With adjustable platforms crafted from local timber and movable panels that enhance interaction with the surrounding landscape, the cabin offers a versatile shelter designed for the needs of hikers in Latvia's natural environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Adjustable platforms accommodate varying tree heights for optimized views.
02
Constructed with locally sourced timber to minimize environmental impact.
03
Movable panels enhance user engagement with the surrounding landscape.
04
Charred wooden shingles provide weather resistance and sustainability.
05
Compact A-frame structure designed for efficient use of space in nature.
The Drop Down Cabin is a meticulously designed architectural project situated in Latvia, aimed at providing a versatile shelter for hikers on the E9 Amber road. This structure represents a harmonious blend of utility and environmental integration, reflecting a modern approach to architectural design that prioritizes user experience and interaction with nature. The cabin serves as both a resting place and an observation point, allowing users to engage deeply with the surrounding landscape while offering functionality suited to various climatic conditions.

Unique Design Approaches

The design of the Drop Down Cabin is characterized by its adjustable vertical format, allowing the structure to modify its height according to the context of the surrounding trees. This adaptability facilitates a dynamic interaction with the environment. The cabin features terraced platforms that expand outward, enabling users to take in panoramic views or enjoy the serene presence of the forest. The adjustable enclosures, articulated through movable panels, enhance both visual and acoustic connections to the landscape, promoting a feeling of openness and immersion in nature.

Materiality plays a crucial role in the Drop Down Cabin's design. The primary use of locally sourced wooden materials not only ensures aesthetic harmony with the forest but also promotes sustainability by reducing transportation impacts. Water-resistant particleboard is utilized for interior finishes, complementing thermal insulation embedded in the walls to ensure the structure is suitable for varied weather conditions throughout the year. Stainless steel components are employed for railings and structural supports, maintaining durability while aligning with the overall design ethos of simplicity and functionality.

Functional Aspects and User Experience

The Drop Down Cabin is engineered to foster an engaging user experience. The adaptable nature of its design allows for personalization of space based on the users' needs, whether they seek solitude or wish to host small gatherings in a natural setting. The project emphasizes easy interaction with the environment, encouraging users to immerse themselves in their surroundings while offering refuge when needed.

Architectural details, such as the cabins' fine craftsmanship and thoughtful integration of features, enhance its usability. The combination of elevated platforms and adaptable enclosures allows for flexible configurations, ensuring that the cabin can serve various functions, from a private retreat to a communal observation point.

Overall, the Drop Down Cabin exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to architecture that balances functionality, sustainability, and user engagement. Readers interested in a detailed exploration of this project's architectural plans, sections, and specific designs are encouraged to delve deeper into its presentation to fully appreciate the intricacies and concepts embodied within this unique architectural endeavor.
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

Microhome

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € PRIZE FUND / KINGPSAN EDITION #10 IDEAS COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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