WORDS & PRODUCTION Steve Smith PHOTOS Jan Ras 

You need game-spotter eyes to see Aardts Cabin – the kind that can spot a motionless mountain zebra cloaked in a Karoo landscape. If you possess this model of eyeball, you’ll see both on a koppie outside the Klein Karoo village of De Rust – although you’re more likely to spot the zebra first, such is the way Abrie von Wielligh’s design appears to have emerged from its rocky, scrubby surrounds. It’s a design that caught Airbnb’s eye in 2022 – the concept was one of 100 global winners of their $10-million “OMG!” competition. The rental disruptor chose 100 designs, each receiving $100 000 to facilitate the build, with the proviso it be rented out on Airbnb’s platform for a year. 

“Ag, but ja,” says Abrie dryly. “We ended up a bit short, and had to spend a little more on the construction. You know how it is when you’re building – you think, ‘Why don’t we add this and that…’” And Abrie knows dry well: although he currently lives in George, he’s originally from Namibia. “George is a bit busy and wet for us, so we started looking around for a place to get away. It didn’t make sense to have a beach house, as it’s the same climate as George.” The “we” he’s referring to are his wife Jorika and their two daughters. The family bought the piece of land near De Rust five years ago and, after walking around the property a lot, decided on a location that was hidden from the farmlands in the valley below and allowed them to burrow into the land. 

Aardts Cabin is Abrie’s own design (his day job is furniture-maker), and is inspired by the “earthship” structures built by US architect Michael Reynolds in the 1970s as passive solar earth shelters made of both natural and upcycled materials. It’s an approach the reflects the strong environmentally focused ethic that Abrie brings to his work – and it’s one ideally suited to this arid geography. The only part of the koppie built above ground is the master bedroom; the rest has been hollowed out of the landscape. “The earth was a lot harder and rockier than we anticipated,” says Abrie. “The excavators initially said they’d be here for about five days; they ended up taking a month and a half. It was quite a mission.” 

Thanks to their eff orts, as you enter through a large, round door, you can either turn left to the master bedroom, or right to descend down a curved staircase into the living area and kitchen, with another bedroom attached. Open the living room’s expansive glass sliding doors, and you’ll find yourself in a sheltered semicircular courtyard with a wood-fi red hot tub and an uninterrupted view of the surrounding koppies. 

This organic subterranean shape is one that’s bounced around Abrie’s head for a long time. “I’m not sure where it came from, and I didn’t know how I would use it, until this place. I like organic shapes; you can see it in our furniture – the rounded triangles and pebble shapes.” 

It’s a shape that allows for natural heating and cooling properties too, with the stairs creating a draught as the rising heat flows out of the top entrance. In winter, hot air from the fireplace also moves up, warming the bedroom upstairs. These cooling and insulating properties were one of the main reasons Abrie chose to dig into rather than build on top of. But not everything was planned: “The design changed organically as we built it. One of my things is that you don’t have to figure everything out before you start something. I like to jump in and let things happen. Some people like to see it all planned out before they begin – but if you just jump in, you’ll discover things you would’ve never discovered otherwise.” 

The ceilings are an example of exactly that. Structural integrity and waterproofing required a concrete slab, but Abrie and Jorika weren’t keen on the concrete’s industrial look; neither did they want to hide it with wood cladding. Given the way the ceiling tapers, curves and opens up, straight lines would be off-square no matter how it was laid out. So they added a thin layer of mud underneath the slab before casting, to give it texture. “The idea was for the concrete to flow into the mud’s cracks and look like the veins of a leaf. But then we had a lot of rain, and water seeped all the way through. I like the way it’s worked out.” 

The pendant lights are another example of design by discovery. The day prior to our photoshoot, Abrie and Jorika still hadn’t decided what lampshades to use over the naked Edison light bulbs – but instead of going out and buying something, they tied dried shrub branches around the bulbs. “I hate just buying stuff,” says Abrie. 

When it came to the interior design, the couple did it all themselves. All the furniture is from Meyer Von Wielligh – the brand Abrie co-founded with partner Norman Meyer – while Jorika curated all the softs. The end result is a unique structure and interior space that are very much a reflection of the couple’s creative process. “Using materials that are local and close to you lends itself to a design that’s going to be timeless rather than merely trendy. The materials age with the landscape, and the building blends in.” 

And given that the first thing we spotted when approaching Aardts Cabin was three (pretty chilled) mountain zebra, rather than the cabin itself, it’s safe to say Abrie and Jorika created something that does exactly that. @aardts.co.za | airbnb.co.za | meyervonwielligh.co.za

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WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Radek Úlehla

Architect Martin Hajný was tasked with transforming a dilapidated 1970s one-storey hut into a spacious “city escape” for a couple enchanted by its leafy location on the outskirts of Prague. Martin’s real challenge was designing an urban cabin that met the clients’ spatial needs while complying with strict zoning regulations, including a height restriction of 7.7 metres above the surrounding terrain.

His solution was to incorporate a truncated roof that minimised the height and volume of the structure, while ensuring the roofline did not obstruct neighbouring views of the landscape. The original hut was stripped down to its stone base, which now serves as the foundation for the new metal structure. The main construction consists of a two-by-four framing system with an open, lightweight design, built on a reinforced concrete slab supported by concrete pillars concealed behind the stone walls. The roof and façade are clad in trapezoidal metal sheeting – a low-maintenance material with a long lifespan that resembles wooden battens.

While the dark exterior helps the building blend into its surroundings, the bright interior – dominated by pine plywood – evokes the warmth and simplicity of a classic hut. The bathroom features a subtle grey plaster on the floor and walls.

The simple layout and use of façade windows on all sides offer unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. The truncated roof remains uniform from the outside, as adding a window would have disrupted the house’s clean, minimalist silhouette. The bedroom is illuminated from above by a pair of skylights, which also provide ventilation. Meanwhile, the roof overhang on the southern side of the home helps maintain a pleasant indoor climate throughout the year.

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WORDS Steve Smith PHOTOS Leon van der Westhuizen

If you want a cabin with a view, and you want it now, the folks you should be speaking to are Anthrop Abbott Architects. This project on a private farm northeast of Graaff – Reinet came from a client brief to design and build on a favourite family lookout spot in as short a time as possible.

Fortunately, founding architect Leon van der Westhuizen and his team had recently completed a project with a similarly short lead time. Pretoria-based radio station Groot FM was looking for an attention-grabbing “treehouse” satellite studio to broadcast from in the vibey Old East Precinct of the city.

Called the Boomhuis, it needed a small patio where impromptu shows could be held, or where guests could be featured with a visual link to the village and onlookers. Anthrop Abbott Architects’ solution was to use a six-metre container, placed on stilts in an existing walnut tree. Excellent practice, then, for Karoo Uitkyk – a weekend retreat that would be a rather more complex design and build, and one that would require the full use of the skills embodied in the firm’s name. Derived from the Greek word ánthrōpos, meaning “human being”, Anthrop’s name describes a design philosophy of having an anthropological understanding of how people live, meet and relax in a space.

We spoke to Leon about how Karoo Uitkyk came about, and how he and his team conceptualised and built this functional – and beautiful – piece of architecture.

The Location

“The client had one or two ‘uitkyk punte’ that they enjoyed on the farm. They’d pack a lunch and drive out to these spots, and spend time there. The initial brief was that they wanted to ‘formalise’ one of them and add some creature comforts.

“Our discussions quickly moved along, and we ended up designing a very cool ‘lookout’, in which you
could easily spend two or three nights. We eventually ended up choosing this specific location because it was near one of the farm roads, which made getting there easier. And, of course, the view is spectacular.”

The Design Brief

“The brief for the accommodation evolved into what can be described as a ‘cabin for four people’, with a central social or gathering space and all the modern conveniences we could think of. We spent a lot of time on the site, walking the contours and observing wildlife paths so as not to disturb anything. We were lucky to find a flattish rock bed, which we utilised for the structural footings.”

The Containers

“The client didn’t want to waste time, so a key part of the brief called for a solution that could be erected in a short timeframe. We had recently completed the unique satellite studio for Groot FM in Pretoria and, with this fresh in our minds, we suggested the use of containers to the client, who bought into the concept. With the site being so remote – and our office being in Pretoria – we could monitor work on the units, as they were being built in Joburg. “Some of the work obviously had to be completed on site, but about 80% of the fitout and manufacturing was done prior to taking the units to the site. We designed them in such a way that they basically folded open on site.”

The Challenges

“We had done several interesting container projects prior to this one, so we were adequately geared for the work, and had learnt some lessons. Interestingly, not all container brands are exactly the same in terms of internal dimensions. The differences are pretty marginal – but we needed them to be as close to identical as possible. “This prompted us to advise the client to use new containers from a single supplier (Big Box), which helped during the fitout. The tricky part was linking the two six-metre containers side to side – but the team we worked with had plenty of previous experience with container conversions.”

The Interiors

“We conceptualised the interiors in-house as well – everything from softs to appliances. It helped that the client has great taste and informed the direction. The brief called for a warm yet clean and calm interior, in colours that complemented the landscape. The floors, for instance, are a terracotta ‘rubberised’ surface that can cope with the extreme climatic changes. You can sometimes experience four seasons in one day on that ridge, so we wanted a floor that you could walk on without feeling you have to clean it constantly.

“We are huge fans of local design, so we sourced most of the furniture and fittings from brands such as Dokter and Misses (custom kitchen unit), Pedersen + Lennard (bathroom accessories, bedside pedestals, shelving and medicine cabinets), Hoi P’loy (lighting), Spazio (lighting), Douglas & Douglas (drinks cabinet), Mungo (linen and bedding) and James Mudge (dining furniture). Walls and ceilings were clad with birch plywood panels, which allowed us to incorporate comprehensive thermal insulation, and hide all the plumbing and electrical reticulation.” | anthrop.co.za

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At the foot of the jagged arches of Wellington’s dramatic purple-brown mountain peaks stands Olive View by untether. The three luxury eco-pods, with their environmentally soft architecture and luxe interior design, centre sustainability to reflect the tranquillity of the surrounding nature’s unspoilt solitude.

Inspired by the confines of COVID-19, James Coetzee and Brandon Muller dreamt up untether to be a collection of nature-steeped stays where people can escape the urban noise of the city without trekking too far or forgoing the work requirements of WIFI.

Located on a 24 hectare farm just outside of Wellington, amongst a bouquet of slowly-returning fynbos where a rumoured resident Cape Leopard and curious caracals roam, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Olive View is just that: a space to reconnect, disconnect or be a digital nomad.

Interior design by Jackie Hunter of Imagenius Interiors reflects the rolling landscape’s pause-worthy views with reds, greens, woods and simplistic elegance – the ideal space to come back to after a long day of hiking, trail-running, birdwatching and/or skydiving (for the adrenaline-inclined).

The three structures built by Future Build Construction – all beyond shouting distance of one another, as per untether’s No Neighbour Promise – feature light steel frames for a fast build that disturbs as little of the surrounding ecosystem as possible. Despite offering every creature comfort a city kid could want – fireplace, SMEG appliances, strong internet, a work station and sunken wood-fired hot tub, to name a few – the farm is entirely off grid. Everything is powered by solar, even the borehole pump.

For more information, visit untether’s website here and learn more about the construction in Olive View’s build documentary here.

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Inspired by Japanese design, this 28sqm off-grid cabin located on Australia’s Bruny Island is an escape from the high stress of busy work life.

The clients brief to Maguire + Devine Architects was to capture the feeling of ‘escapism’ and design a building as a piece of furniture with everything the client needs built-in. The only furniture ‘allowed’ in the space was a low table and mattress on the sleeping loft. The result? A simple and minimalistic cabin in the heart of nature (you can book it via Airbnb).

Surrounded by 99 acres of conservation forest, there is an abundance of wildlife surrounding this Bruny Island hideaway. The cabin opens onto an east and west deck, capturing morning and afternoon sun while affording views to the south. A high roof allowed solar panels and a skylight to catch sun from over the trees. Internally, the light-coloured Baltic Pine creates a warm and cosy atmosphere.

Looking for more architectural inspiration or local tiny cabins? Check out this tiny pod in Tasmania.

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Designed by the duo from Small this 27sqm home known as ‘The Brook’ takes advantage of raised ceilings to create a transportable New York style loft and mezzanine.

Designed by Small to feel like a New York style apartment yet appropriate for a regional setting, The Brook is a fully off-grid, transportable small house design (similar to these cabins) that explores the use of recycled and restored materials.

The double-height created by the expandable roof not only creates an additional sense of space and room for storage but allows for a walkable height mezzanine level to accommodate a bedroom and home office.

The ladder to the mezzanine also folds up to allow for more living and dining space. Through the clever utilization of space and thoughtful selection of materials, The Brooke feels like the perfect combination of luxury and rustic living.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Check out this micro loft apartment in Italy.

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Compact, quirky and set at the foot of a rolling mountain, Toms’s House is an angular obsidian box by Anna-Marie Chin Architects inspired by the humble shed that challenges spatial requirements.

Set in the post-card surroundings of Queenstown, New Zealand, the brief sought something small and characterful with lots of light and frames through which to savour pause-worthy views. The result is an optimisation of the 156 sqm plot that realises a home filled with hidden storage and niche spaces that can be converted into sleeping or sitting areas.

Outside, the built form is inspired by the rural shed with coloursteel skin wrapping covering the walls and roof. A modern abstracted interpretation sees a gable run across the diagonal to create dynamic elevations that appear in dialogue with the towering mountains. The asymmetrical ridgeline slopes down, tracing the contour of the land and creating variation in internal spatial volumes.

A simple material palette continues the shed aesthetic with the same dark colours featured on walls, windows and the roof. Honey-coloured ply creates a warm and homely interior and recesses make way for sky-enveloped porches that welcome exteriors in. The placement of the home, in relation to the internal boundaries, makes porches and courtyard spaces secluded from view and provides relief from tight boundary setbacks. | amchinarchitects.co.nz

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House in Komabacho by Maki Yoshimura Architecture Office is an unusually configured home comprised of three barn-like structures that each face a different direction to maximise use of the site.

Located in Nagoya City, Japan, the private residence sits in the corner of a bustling educational district and features three volumes stacked upon one another, forming a hierarchy of functionality. Each volume has a unique purpose and is placed on a separate platform.

Split-level interiors blur visual boundaries to welcome city scenes into the home. When looking down from the highest point within, the walls and fences that mark the boundaries of the site disappear from sight, the balconies retract into the back and the city’s road comes into view. A translucent roofed, semi-outdoor volume facing the street serves as the home’s garage, while the double-storey building behind it houses the main living spaces.

Spacious bedrooms on the ground floor lead to airy, sun-dappled living areas on the second floor. The uppermost volume is positioned diagonally to allow for optimal natural light and ventilation. It’s here habitants enjoy meals in the ‘dining hut’; a compact kitchen and dining area with a visually striking triangulated roof.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Check out the quaint, nature-steeped escape that is Moroko Cabins.

h/t: archdaily.com

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Staggered Cabin by Mork Ulnes Architects features shed-roofed volumes that allow it to merge with its sloping site at the meeting point between South Lake Tahoe and the foot of rolling mountains.

Located at an elevation of over 1800 m, Staggered Cabin comprises three dark stained cedar-clad volumes stepped down an alpine slope. Contemporary with site-centred design, it maximises functionality whilst maintaining a gentle approach to the land.

Compact exterior courtyards afforded by its configuration allow unkempt natural surrounds to be the focal point: boulders, towering Jeffrey pines and a level patch of earth dappled in sunlight. Glimpses of the lake and mountains in the distance broaden the focus and link the site to its unspoiled setting.

Inside, the 1000 sqm cabin features plywood finishes and sleeping quarters set about a central living/dining space that opens onto the outdoors on either side. Ample mezzanine space is afforded by the steeply pitched shed-roof geometry, while large windows allow inhabitants a peek into the tree canopy.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Check out this Norwegian Forest Cabin by Mork-Ulnes Architects.

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Made almost entirely of wood, Skigard Hytte is the first ground-up project Mork-Ulnes Architects has built for their own family: an experimental mountain cabin in the Norwegian wilderness.

Situated 943 metres above sea level on top of a mountain in Kvitfjell – the ski resort developed specially for the 1994 Winter Olympics – the cabin is enveloped by some of the world’s most rugged and awe-inspiring terrain.

In the summer, its rough façade, made of skigard (quarter-cut log traditionally used by Norwegian farmers) sees it sit aptly within the surrounding forrest. Come winter, the gaps in the skigard fill with snow, affording the cabin a contrasting softness.

Image credit: Bruce Damonte

A home created by architects for architects, Skigard Hytte provided a laboratory for invention and experimentation – one that saw Casper and Lexie Mork-Ulnes push boundaries in ways that clients may not have the appetite for.

Pre-construction, they familiarised themselves with the unique qualities of the site by camping. Inspired by how often they were woken up by cows and sheep at their tent door, they decided to give the house an unusual configuration by lifting it on thin CLT legs. This hovering design ensures protection of the natural terrain, while affording the passing animals shelter from the elements.

Image credit: Juan Benavides

The interior space matches the unconventional roughness of the exterior: a dance of light and smooth pine creates an ambience of intimacy and cosiness, allowing the breathtaking views to remain focal. All of the cabinetry and custom furniture (even the fridge handle) is made of three-layer, cross-laminated pine sheets.

Love this space? Check out another Norwegian forest cabin by Mork-Ulnes Architects, here.

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