Italian Micro Cabin

WORDS Michaela Stehr PHOTOS Anna Positano, Gaia Cambiaggi | Studio Campo

The Hermitage, a small Italian micro cabin of only 12 square metres was an exercise in minimal architecture for LLAB’s young architects.

Born from experimentation, a small wooden cabin named The Hermitage features a simple and modular design that acts as a response to environmental and social needs, bringing the spotlight onto minimalist living and cohesion with nature.

When the designers put pen to paper, the cabin was born with the idea of creating a contemplative and quiet space. With introspection as the key focus, all distractions and unnecessary add-ons were omitted. With the option to be highly adaptable, the cabin has the potential to be whatever the owner desires, from a studio or guesthouse to an office or creative space.

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Recalling the craftsmanship experience of the LLAB founding partners, Luca Sardulla and Federico Robbiano, the space pays homage to the initial carpentry workshop that started the humble LLAB beginnings in Genoa, Italy.

“The simple modularity of the structure makes it easily scalable and adaptable into different compositions. The basicness of construction, the minimal impact on the land and the use of natural materials that can be easily sourced locally enable a respectful installation in natural contexts,” says Luca Scardulla. “These Hermitages put human beings back in touch with nature by lightening the anthropization load that marks all building activities.” 

Paring back and taking things to a simple yet efficient level, the cabin exudes an air of zen, combining elements of Scandi-chic while being modestly zen. “We paid special attention to the design of the interior space. Minimal and flexible, with the expansive glass wall facing the terrace, the space feels light and contemplative,” says Federico Robbiano. “The interplay between different levels offers the possibility to better manage storage spaces and technical compartments while contributing to the definition of a graceful atmosphere.”

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