This year’s global staycation has invited us to enjoy shorter getaways in near surroundings or on our land plot. As a result, intimate getaways increase in small cabins that offer different functions; please see 7 examples of the Space Of Mind Trend (spatial design edition).
Though used for working purposes and as a mini office in your garden to guarantee the privacy and probably a more stable acoustic environment, many cabins already morphed into multi-functional spaces and make us feel good. Thanks to renewable energy features and a self-sufficient manifesto.
They offer refuge, a new perspective on finding focus, and might be a solution with sharply rising property prices. Most are an architect-designed garden oasis, nothing short of creativity and technical skills from basic to bespoke.
Space Of Mind is part of our new definition of well-being with blurring physical, mental, and soul health boundaries. The idea of isolating in a clutter-free space for a while to cut the noise around us is not new but comes now in easy to install dens. Being kind to your mind is a practice that takes daily commitment, whether it is through mindfulness or a physical getaway.
You’ll tick the boxes when it comes to sustainability (most come with renewable energy), health (peace of mind), and mini housing (urbanization). Et voilà, the topic belongs to all three Macro Trends.
Here goes a round-up of 5 examples of the new Space Of Mind Trend in spatial design seen in different areas around the world.
1// Finnish cabin Space Of Mind
This cabin Space of Mind was designed as a mass timber construction using ecologically sourced Finnish wood. Three creative firms – architecture Studio Puisto, interiors manufacturers Protos Demos, and design house Made by Choice. It’s conceived as a space of under 10 sq m total with its own custom furniture that attaches to the wooden structure. It’s light enough to travel and install in the remotest locations, a necessary feature in Scandinavian landscapes.
The cabin was initially developed in response to the ongoing pandemic. Still, the modular structure could be easily applicable to several scenarios and used as a workspace, yoga or meditation studio, guest bedroom, or whatever use you might need at that moment.
2// A Writer’s Shed In Melbourne
Another 10sqm corner is tucked into the corner of the garden and mostly covered in oxygen-booster and temperature controlling Boston ivy; hard to believe this oasis is found in the city. Internal walls, floors, ceilings, and furniture are made from plywood to create an uncluttered and calm look&feel given the small space. Designed by Melbourne architect Matt Gibson for a writer based in the city, he teamed up with Ben Scott to design the planting scheme to ensure the garden’s structure looked as integrated as possible.
3// The Artichoke Temple In London
Architect Ben Allen designed this flat-packed garden room made from digitally pre-cute ply panels, drilled to a timber-framed structure. The octagonal space was inspired by the Dunmore pavilion in Scotland with a fruity dome and turned more into an architectural expression of an artichoke.
Photograph: Ben Tynegate/The Observer
4// A Garden Studio In Toronto
With record housing prices, many clients can not afford to move to a larger home and don’t want to move outside of the city either. The amount of space that can be found on occasions at the rear of the house can offer the opportunity to make the most of it and build a hut at the end of the yard.
The founder of architecture firm Six Four Five A has constructed a small timber workspace for himself at the end of the garden with 9,3 sq m give room for shelves and anchors for larger horizontal surfaces made from birch plywood.
5// A Sculptural Office Designed In Northern Ireland
Koto has created a cabin that serves as a place of deep work and mediation, a contemplative rooanand immersive space to connect with nature. The structure assumes an elegant and functional sculptural geometric form with large glazing framing the garden’s views. The structure is entirely natural and carbon neutral.
The charred timber exterior draws from our Japanese design influence and the ancient Japanese philosophy Wabi Sabi, focused on accepting the transient nature of life and the beauty in imperfection. Cabins are now available in the UK, Europe, and the USA.
6// A Sound Proof Studio In Ecuador
Architecture student David Guambo developed Kusy Kawsay, a small hut that rests in hilly pastoral Ecuador made with a wood framing and straw roof. Kusy Kawsay in direct translation means “passionate life” in the Quechuan dialect, Kichwa, a language used in the Andes. Guambo worked under an experienced hand of Al Borde, a local architecture office, and used “Bahareque” – a traditional building system applying mud and weaving stick to create compact walls to make it soundproof.
7// A Beach Retreat in New Zealand
This project is rather different from the former ones, including a complete living structure. Based on the owner brief of seeking an escape that would provide the ‘authentic New Zealand experience,’ this small but comfortable home designed by Stevens Lawson Architects looks like the ultimate retreat. Uncluttered, compact, and surrounded by lush nature and overlooking the sea, the idea was to find a cultural and geographical context since these cabins were built by early settlers and also refer to Maori ‘Whares’ (houses).
A large open plan living space in plywood invites socializing, merging the sitting area, dining, and kitchen. The bedrooms, a master with en suite, two smaller rooms, and an independent bathroom, are located on the upper floor.
Which is your favorite getaway?
