Top Summer Cabin Projects

How much has been created by human hands in our time, but architects and designers continue to surprise us with their ideas. In this article, we present several unconventional design solutions that may interest the common person, builder, and entrepreneur alike.

Cylindrical House "Roll It"

Mobile house "Roll It" was devised by German students. It is shaped like a cylinder, allowing it to move in any direction. This quirky house, despite its limited space, contains everything necessary for living because when the cylinder rotates, the interior of the house transforms completely.

For instance, the guest area turns into a sleeping area, and the kitchen transforms into a bathroom, complete with both a sink and toilet. The creators of this wonder claim that the toilet is securely fixed, so there's no need to worry about its contents falling on your head.

To change the interior, simply step toward the center of the cylinder in one direction or the other, depending on where you would like to be right now: in the bedroom, living room, or bathroom.

The house is constructed from a frame connected by special supporting rings. It is partially covered outside with a transparent film, which also serves as an advertising billboard. Inside, the walls are covered with laminated 15mm thick OSB sheets, and the entrance to the house is through an opening at the base of the cylinder, with small openings on the sides serving as windows.

The creators of "Roll It" suppose that such an option would be of interest to students, for whom finding affordable housing is crucial. However, this dwelling can only be seen as a summer option since it does not have a heating system.

"Smart Student Unit" - Alternative Housing for Students

Another student housing option, which may rival the cylindrical one, was created by Swedes. The firm "Tengbom Architects" presented an extraordinary student housing called the "Smart Student Unit".

Both externally and internally, it greatly differs from our usual apartments or houses. Firstly, there are no floors; one floor simply transitions to another, and secondly, the windows are made in a very unusual shape.

Of much greater interest is the interior of this dwelling. Firstly, its compactness and spaciousness are impressive because despite the small area, the house can accommodate everything necessary for a student's comfortable living. It includes a toilet, kitchen, workspace with a desk, lounge area, and of course, a bed.

The bed is not on the floor as usual but in the form of a second level, with access to the sleeping area provided by steps on the wall, which also serve as shelves.

Unfortunately, like the previous option, the student house does not have a heating system, meaning it can only be used in the summer unless modified according to local weather conditions.

Summer House by Nils Holger Moormann

This extravagant house will appeal primarily to nature lovers seeking comfortable outdoor leisure. If you want to escape the urban hustle and bustle, or simply connect with the surrounding environment but lack resources to build a full-fledged house in the countryside, this option serves as a good alternative. The construction of this house was inspired by a book by Henry David Thoreau, describing how the author secluded himself from civilization and the intricacies of such a lifestyle.

Made of wood, the summer house features compartments outside for various tools, kitchenware, and even firewood. Inside, there is a dining area with a table and soft chairs where one can not only eat but also use a laptop to watch a movie or spend time reading an interesting book.

There is a second floor in this design, housing the bedroom, or more precisely, just a bed, beneath a glass roof that can be moved if you wish to sleep under the stars. The beauty of this sleeping area lies in offering a breathtaking view of the starry sky at night and allowing you to greet the sunrise in the morning without leaving the bed.

This dwelling's downside is the absence of a kitchen. However, cooking can be done over a campfire using firewood and a kettle. Additionally, there are compartments for water storage and a bird feeder in the house. A retractable awning is also included to shield you from the sun. Unfortunately, Nils Holger Moormann did not provide a bathroom in this design.

"Nido" - Small Wooden Cabin in the Forest

This cabin was created by 22-year-old architect Robin Falck in Finland. Its name translates from Italian as "bird's nest," as it does not exceed 9 square meters and is located in the forest amidst wild nature.

The advantage of this tiny dwelling is that the author did not need any permits from local authorities for its construction, significantly saving time. It is remarkable how Falck managed to use the small space so efficiently that every corner of the house serves its purpose.

"Nido" consists of two floors and a small wooden terrace around the house. The first floor has a mini-kitchen with a guest room, while the second floor houses a sleeping area and a wardrobe. The window is of the right size and angle to provide sufficient daylight during bright hours.

The construction of this cabin took the creator about three weeks and resulted in a rather nice, cozy, and ecologically clean house made of wooden logs, blending well with the surrounding nature. Like the previous one, this house also lacks a toilet and shower. Perhaps the architect assumed there would be a river or lake in the forest for such purposes.

Overall, these options are quite intriguing and could also find a place in our country, requiring certain modifications to adapt such housing to our climate and people's needs.