Architect Cyril Chênebeau created the "Two Cabins On Stilts" (Les Cabanes Perchées) in Saint-Martin-Vésubie, France, near the Mercantour National Park, as immersive, all-season getaways. Completed in 2022, the project consists of two identical, nine-sided cabin volumes elevated on V-shaped larch stilts. The design balances a traditional gabled cabin form with a contemporary, "perched" habitat that minimizes its footprint on the forested site.

Each cabin is shaped as a nine-sided prism with a double-sided gabled roof. The interior is spacious, with generous ceiling heights that follow the roofline. Large windows and strategically placed openings frame views of the surrounding larch forest, filtering light into the interior throughout the day.

The living area is organized around a central hearth, with a visible and connected spa area that is also accessible from the large south-facing terrace. This provides a unique alpine experience for guests.

The cabins are clad in dark, charred wood cladding, which echoes the color of the larch tree bark and helps the structures blend into their environment. The cabins are supported by a unique, three-dimensional wooden post structure made of stripped larch poles. The V-shaped posts evoke leaning tree trunks and reinforce the "perched" visual effect. This light-colored structural wood is left exposed to create a visual contrast with the dark facade. The interior features a warm, refined material palette with carefully selected coverings and furniture.

Project team and credits

Architect: Cyril Chênebeau.

Client: SMDVVV (CG06).

Photography: Aldo Amoretti.

Graphic Design: Marc Miller.