In 2015, Amsterdam-based CC-Studio unveiled "Thoreau's Cabin," a discreet off-grid shelter nestled within the expansive 5,900-acre Noorderpark in Utrecht, Netherlands. Conceived as a warm and dry retreat for the volunteers who maintain the park, the 35-square-meter cabin was designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings, rather than dominate them.

The cabin's design cleverly employs a strategy of camouflage, making its presence barely perceptible until one is close to it. The volume is shaped and the exterior is clad in a green aluminum envelope to allow it to be concealed by the forest's lush foliage. Two large sliding doors on one corner can be fully opened, seamlessly blending the interior with the surrounding meadow where sheep graze. This allows occupants to control their level of exposure to the outdoors. A sculptural hearth at the cabin's center supports a folding aluminum-clad roof structure, creating an open canopy that extends the protected space outwards.

The cabin was built without requiring a permit because it replaced a pre-existing 1966 cottage of a similar size and function, which had served as a break and storage shelter for park maintenance. The new design, however, features thoughtful updates and sustainable touches.

The cabin was intentionally designed without electricity or running water, reinforcing Thoreau's ideals of simplicity and self-sufficiency. A sculptural hearth functions as the central element, providing heat from local firewood. It serves as a combined kitchen and fireplace. The interior includes a washroom with a washbasin, a small storage area, and a larger general space centered around the stove. Wooden panels line the interior walls, providing a sense of warmth and natural elegance that contrasts with the minimalist metal exterior.

Project credits

The project was designed and executed by the team at CC-Studio.

Architects: Peter Heideman and Danny van Kessel.

Engineering: Gerald Lindner.

Contractor: Van Zoelen bv.