The Woodland Cabin is a self-built, low-budget, 35-square-meter retreat in the village of Nouvelles, Belgium, designed and constructed by London-based architecture studio De Rosee Sa. The project showcases the studio's craftsmanship and creative use of materials by replacing a dilapidated structure with a modern guesthouse and studio.

The cabin is a modern interpretation of a classic black hut found in rural areas, designed to blend into its fairytale-like surroundings. Its simple, lightweight, and economical design was inspired by the local rural vernacular and built to a tight budget.

The structure is set on the edge of a wood next to a tranquil lake, with its openings strategically placed to frame views of the natural scenery.

The timber cladding and exposed beams were milled from trees in the surrounding woods that had been damaged in a storm several years prior. The wood was blackened and sealed using a mixture of wood stain and recycled tractor engine oil, a low-cost, durable treatment typical of local agricultural buildings.

The walls and floors are lined with Oriented Strand Board (OSB), a robust and cost-effective engineered panel that complements the exposed timber beams.

The simple, open-plan interior is centered around a wood-burning stove and can be used for working, sleeping, and socializing.

Exposed scissor rafters create a vaulted ceiling, making the small interior feel more spacious. Black-framed windows draw attention to the surrounding landscape, and glazed doors open onto a wraparound timber deck. A small bathroom is discreetly tucked into one corner, and a small, covered porch serves as a mudroom.

Project credits

Architects: De Rosee Sa.

Project Lead: Max de Rosee, founder of the studio.

Structural Engineers: Form Structural Design.

Photography: Will Scott Photography.