Tiny Houses

Tiny cabin brings minimalist function to the Romanian countryside

Tiny cabin brings minimalist function to the Romanian countryside
The blackened façade of the CL02 Cabin shifts subtly throughout the year
The blackened façade of the CL02 Cabin shifts subtly throughout the year
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A vaulted ceiling and panoramic forest views give the CL02 Cabin a sense of expansiveness despite its size
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A vaulted ceiling and panoramic forest views give the CL02 Cabin a sense of expansiveness despite its size
Circular window in the kitchen captures the stunning outdoor views
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Circular window in the kitchen captures the stunning outdoor views
The CL02 Cabin by Vinklu nestles quietly into the forested hillside of Valea lui Enache, Romania
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The CL02 Cabin by Vinklu nestles quietly into the forested hillside of Valea lui Enache, Romania
The full size kitchen is a luxury for a tiny home
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The full size kitchen is a luxury for a tiny home
Designed by Vinklu, the CL02 Cabin blends minimalist form with deep respect for its rural surroundings
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Designed by Vinklu, the CL02 Cabin blends minimalist form with deep respect for its rural surroundings
Vinklu’s CL02 Cabin is a study in restraint, where each element honors simplicity and sustainability
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Vinklu’s CL02 Cabin is a study in restraint, where each element honors simplicity and sustainability
The CL02 Cabin embraces the forest, emerging and fading with the changing light and leaves
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The CL02 Cabin embraces the forest, emerging and fading with the changing light and leaves
With clean lines and natural finishes, the CL02 Cabin allows the forest to take center stage
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With clean lines and natural finishes, the CL02 Cabin allows the forest to take center stage
From a failed structure to a forest sanctuary, the CL02 Cabin is a story of sensitive reinvention
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From a failed structure to a forest sanctuary, the CL02 Cabin is a story of sensitive reinvention
Black autoclaved timber clads the CL02 Cabin, allowing it to disappear into the landscape as seasons shift
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Black autoclaved timber clads the CL02 Cabin, allowing it to disappear into the landscape as seasons shift
CL02 Cabin preserves the original proportions while introducing modern harmony
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CL02 Cabin preserves the original proportions while introducing modern harmony
The CL02 Cabin proves that thoughtful design can turn even the smallest spaces into sanctuaries
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The CL02 Cabin proves that thoughtful design can turn even the smallest spaces into sanctuaries
CL02 master bedroom
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CL02 master bedroom
The blackened façade of the CL02 Cabin shifts subtly throughout the year
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The blackened façade of the CL02 Cabin shifts subtly throughout the year
The CL02 Cabin’s interior staircase reconnects the home to the sloped terrain it sits upon
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The CL02 Cabin’s interior staircase reconnects the home to the sloped terrain it sits upon
Every detail of the CL02 Cabin reflects its intent to blend, not impose, on the natural setting
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Every detail of the CL02 Cabin reflects its intent to blend, not impose, on the natural setting
Built on the footprint of a previous structure, the CL02 Cabin celebrates renewal over replacement
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Built on the footprint of a previous structure, the CL02 Cabin celebrates renewal over replacement
CL02 Cabin upper level floor-plan by Vinklu
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CL02 Cabin upper level floor-plan by Vinklu
CL02 Cabin ground-floor plan by Vinklu
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CL02 Cabin ground-floor plan by Vinklu
CL02 Cabin plan by Vinklu
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CL02 Cabin plan by Vinklu
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Tucked into the forested landscape of Valea lui Enache, Romania, the CL02 Cabin by Vinklu is a modern tiny rural retreat that blends sustainable design with quiet architectural restraint. Built on the remnants of an earlier failed project, this 55-sq-m (592-sq-ft) home emerges as a thoughtful reimagining of a traditional annex, now transformed into a seasonal dwelling with contemporary purpose.

The project began with a challenge. Vinklu, a Bucharest-based firm, was brought in after a failed previous build. Working remotely, the studio's first task was to reassess a small family-built annex at the top of the lot. Though structurally weak, its proportions and position were worth preserving.

Instead of demolishing what was were already there, the architects decided to reinforce the original walls with mesh. Furthermore, they added a timber-framed extension, and introduced an interior staircase to reconnect the space with the landscape.

The CL02 Cabin proves that thoughtful design can turn even the smallest spaces into sanctuaries
The CL02 Cabin proves that thoughtful design can turn even the smallest spaces into sanctuaries

Clad in black autoclaved timber, the resulting structure shifts subtly with the seasons; disappearing into the foliage, then re-emerging as light and leaves change.

Inside, the tiny cabin is spread across two levels. The ground floor featuring the entrance, master bedroom, bathroom, and large outdoor terrace. This lower floor is designed with smaller windows for privacy and intimacy. The upper level boasts a vaulted ceiling and panoramic windows that open the living area, kitchen, dining, and lounge towards the forest.

The palette remains minimal throughout, with clean, neutral finishes and understated furnishings allowing the forest to remain the primary spectacle. The upper level also features an additional outdoor terrace, making the compact interior space feel even more expansive and allowing guests to truly feel immersed in nature.

A vaulted ceiling and panoramic forest views give the CL02 Cabin a sense of expansiveness despite its size
A vaulted ceiling and panoramic forest views give the CL02 Cabin a sense of expansiveness despite its size

CL02 also stands out for its pragmatic approach to sustainability. By reusing the annex’s base structure, employing local building teams, and integrating some off-site construction methods, Vinklu sought to reduce the environmental footprint of the build.

Overall, the CL02 Cabin offers an elegant, sustainable model for compact rural living. With its sensitivity to site and structure, it doesn’t merely occupy the landscape; it listens to it.

Source: Vinklu

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