A luxurious Belgian castle dating back to the 1880s might seem an unlikely setting for a futuristic and modern weekend away. Situated one hour outside Brussels, Chateau De La Poste is home to a fully renovated castle with 42 guest rooms amidst 42 acres of parkland, but guests can now opt for a quiet escape with the benefits of a pint-sized penthouse that lies hidden on this historical property - the Loftcube.
Chateau De La Poste is the first property in Belgium to host a Loftcube, designed by German architect Werner Aisslinger. To recap briefly, the prefabricated module is a modern cocoon that creates a private retreat in nature. The structure is made from composite materials, with large floor to ceiling glass windows that allow the outside world to enter the internal central space. The modern 30 square meter (323 square foot) accommodation loft features a large open central space with a separate bathroom.
The philosophy of the Loftcube is to provide a prefabricated module that can be transported (by truck or helicopter) to any location, without leaving a footprint on its surrounding environment. The concept has been around since 2004 and several Loftcubes have been popping up around the globe as holiday retreats, urban offices and temporary exhibition spaces. The cubes can be decked out with solar panels for heating and electricity and can be individually manufactured to suit the needs of the customer. These stylish capsules still don't come cheap. A simple prefabricated Loftcube will set you back at least EUR99,000 (approximately US$130,500)
A night for two at Chateau De La Poste's Loftcube costs EUR85 ($112).
Sources: Chateau De La Poste, Loftcube