Situated on a working farm in the heart of Devon, England, the Holly Water Cabin is a sustainable holiday retreat designed and built by the Devon-based studio Out of the Valley. Completed in 2021, the cabin was conceived as a self-contained getaway to invite its inhabitants into a close relationship with the outdoors while providing a high level of comfort and craftsmanship. Revenue generated from renting the cabin also supports the rewilding of the surrounding farmland to bring back biodiversity and wildlife. The exterior features a rugged, natural aesthetic with a mono-pitched roof made from corrugated metal that protects the structure with generous eaves. It is clad in cedar from a Dartmoor mill and constructed with an exposed Douglas fir frame. To minimize its environmental impact, the cabin is raised off the ground on pier foundations, reducing the need for concrete. Inside, the cabin features an open-plan layout defined by natural materials and meticulous craftsmanship. The interior walls are covered in a breathable clay render, which helps regulate temperature and humidity while providing a pleasing, organic texture. An oak kitchen lines one wall, and a cozy sleeping area is tucked into the gable end. Large, sliding glass doors link the interior with a sweeping larch veranda, expanding the living space to the outdoors. A copper bathtub on the deck offers a luxurious way to connect with the landscape. Project credits Design and Build: Out of the Valley Designer: Rupert McKelvie Photography: Rupert McKelvie, Stephanie Osmond Clay plaster supplier: Clayworks Roofing supplier: Cladco Corrugated Sheets Client: Holly Water Cabin