The VR Cabin is a vacation refuge designed by Mexico City-based firm CRB Arquitectos. Completed in 2021, the 90 m² project is located in the forested area of Avándaro in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. The cabin was conceived as a space for its users to disconnect from city life and reconnect with the surrounding nature, with a design that emphasizes warmth, simplicity, and a seamless coexistence between the cabin and the forest.

The core concept of the VR Cabin is to offer a serene escape where the user can fully experience the tranquility of their forested environment. This connection is achieved through a deliberate design approach:

The cabin's exterior is a simple, solid block, which ensures the natural landscape remains the focal point. In contrast, the interior is richly lined with wood to create a warm and cozy atmosphere.

The design blurs the line between indoor and outdoor spaces through a series of thoughtful connections. A large front terrace allows occupants to immerse themselves in the surrounding greenery, while the private area features a bathroom and dressing room that open directly to the outdoors.

The 90 m² cabin features a simple yet highly functional layout that focuses on maximizing comfort and the connection with nature. The main living area is an open-plan space containing a lounge area with a fireplace, a bedroom space, and a small office area. A ladder provides access to an upper-level sleeping loft, with gabled wooden roofs that evoke the feeling of a classic Nordic cabin. A secluded space for contemplation is integrated into the design, surrounded by lush vegetation.

A unique outdoor shower, also surrounded by foliage, provides a direct and immersive connection with the natural surroundings.

The material choices for the VR Cabin were selected to create a warm, welcoming, and harmonious atmosphere that complements the natural setting. The extensive use of wood throughout the interior, including the gabled roofs of the loft, provides thermal comfort in Valle de Bravo's humid climate and creates a soft, cozy aesthetic. While the interior focuses on wood, the exterior is defined by a simple, solid block form. Although details on the specific exterior finish are limited, CRB Arquitectos frequently uses materials like earth-toned exposed concrete in their projects to allow structures to age naturally.

Project Credits

Architects: CRB Arquitectos (Mexico).

Lead Architects: Sebastián Canales and Javier Rivero Borrell.

Location: Avándaro, Valle de Bravo, Mexico.

Area: 90 m².

Year of Completion: 2021.

Photographs: Arturo Arrieta.

Manufacturers: Cemex, Grupo Arca.