Tiny Houses

Thoreau's Cabin is at one with nature

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Thoreau's Cabin is located on a 5,900-acre (2,387-hectare) park in Utrecht, Netherlands
John Lewis Marshall
Amsterdam's cc-studio named Thoreau's Cabin in honor of American author Henry David Thoreau
John Lewis Marshall
Located on the 5,900-acre (2,387-hectare) Noorderpark in Utrecht, Netherlands, Thoreau's Cabin replaces an old cottage originally built in the 1960s
John Lewis Marshall
The cabin operates totally off-grid – there's no electricity or running water available
John Lewis Marshall
Thoreau's Cabin is located on a 5,900-acre (2,387-hectare) park in Utrecht, Netherlands
John Lewis Marshall
Inside, there's a total floorspace of 42 sq m (452 sq ft), with the lion's share going to the living area
John Lewis Marshall
The cabin sports two large sliding doors that open up an entire corner to the outside
John Lewis Marshall
The cabin is built primarily from wood and aluminum, and a painted aluminum roof helps it blend in with its surroundings
John Lewis Marshall
The kitchen tap is operated by a small pump that draws water from a container in the kitchen cabinet
John Lewis Marshall
The interior is dominated by uncovered wood
John Lewis Marshall
It serves as both a place to store supplies and a warm and dry haven to the volunteers who tend the park
John Lewis Marshall
Architectural drawings of Thoreau's Cabin
cc-studio
Architectural drawings of Thoreau's Cabin
cc-studio
Architectural drawings of Thoreau's Cabin
cc-studio
Architectural drawings of Thoreau's Cabin
cc-studio
Architectural drawings of Thoreau's Cabin
cc-studio
Architectural drawings of Thoreau's Cabin
cc-studio
View gallery - 16 images

Here's a lovely little project from Amsterdam's cc-studio. Named Thoreau's Cabin in honor of American author Henry David Thoreau, the off-grid shelter features a wood-burning stove, large sliding doors that open it up to the outside, and an understated elegance that enables it to complement, rather than dominate, its surroundings.

Located on a 5,900-acre (2,387-hectare) park in Utrecht, Netherlands, Thoreau's Cabin was built to replace an old cottage dating back to the 1960s. It serves as both a place to store supplies, and a warm and dry haven to the volunteers who tend the park.

The cabin is clad in aluminum and sports a painted aluminum roof. Inside, uncovered wood dresses a tasteful and sparse interior measuring a total floorspace of 42 sq m (452 sq ft). The lion's share of space goes to the living area, while the rest is split between a bedroom and laundry/storage room, and kitchenette (but no toilet).

The kitchen tap is operated by a small pump that draws water from a container in the kitchen cabinet
John Lewis Marshall

Thoreau's Cabin operates totally off-the-grid. For water, there's a nearby well and the kitchen tap is operated by a small pump that draws from a container in the kitchen cabinet. Heat comes via a large wood-burning stove, but in warmer weather, the cabin's two large sliding doors open up an entire corner of the building to create a semi-outdoor space that's a little like 2by4 Architects' Summer House.

"The architecture of the cabin complements the pastoral elegance of the park," says cc-studio. "You can almost picture Thoreau writing Walden here."

Thoreau's Cabin was completed last year.

Source: cc-studio

View gallery - 16 images
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8 comments
EddieG
No bathroom, but a laundry room. Well, that makes a kind of sense.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really nice. I can see myself relaxing there, or even living there.
aquaman
AND, can't believe a steel stove, when a little foundation and a kit masonry woodstove right from Tigchelaar in Reduzum, NE. is close to 90% efficient....
chidrbmt
Good luck trying to get a woman to live in a structure with no bathroom. With the rainy,cold Netherlands weather,can be open two days a year. Nicely done. Wonder the cost?
Don Duncan
Way too much glazing to be easy to heat/cool, unless the glazing is "smart glass" capable of controlling the IR. Even so, floor radiant coils are most efficient. And efficiency must be maximized living off grid. Lots of windows look good but are impractical. I lived in a house on Lake Tahoe for three years and stopped noticing the wrap-around windows within a month. They make an impression at first, but the breathtaking view soon goes unnoticed.
ljaques
Given Thoreau's mindset, he would have exclaimed "WTF?" at the yuppie chateau presented to him. He might have been very impressed by the windows, since they didn't have those back then. And he might be amused by the indoor plumbing, but he certainly wouldn't condone the rest of the house. I, too, prefer flat ceilings, since they reduce heating/cooling requirements, as well as being a whole lot more comfortable to be under. (See "The Not So Big House" by Sarah Susanka. Recommended reading for _everyone_.) I believe that the Escape Traveler might have been more well received by old Henry. Did the builder not read Walden? The only connections I see are 1- secluded woods and 2- wood stove. Go figure.
Bushpossum
No wheelchair access either. As usual.
fancyflyer
This place would be plenty for a short getaway. It is a manse compared to that little shack Henry lived in. The reconstruction at Walden seems to be only about 10x20. He did have a window on each side though.