Nestled in the picturesque hills of Vienna, the Villa Minimale is a remarkable project by Clemens Kirsch Architektur that redefines the concept of a tiny home. Built as a summer retreat and allotment house for a family of four, the 35-square-meter structure demonstrates maximum efficiency and thoughtful design within strict building limitations. The project harmonizes a deep connection with nature and draws inspiration from architectural masterpieces, creating a space that feels both innovative and timeless. The Villa Minimale's design concept was born from a unique fusion of two architectural inspirations: Villa Rotonda (Andrea Palladio): The Palladian influence is evident in the project's centralized plan and symmetrical layout. Kings Road House (R. M. Schindler): The Los Angeles home's spirit is echoed in the use of four distinct volumes and the creative spatial arrangement. The house is composed of four identical, prefabricated wooden "sheds" arranged in a windmill-like formation around a central, circular air space. This innovative layout maximizes natural light and ventilation while blurring the lines between the interior and exterior. A prominent central oculus or skylight allows for views of the starry night sky from the upper-level sleeping areas. Despite being constrained by local regulations that limit its footprint to 35 m² and its height to 5 meters, the Villa Minimale achieves exceptional spatial efficiency. The interior is expertly planned to serve a family of four. The central area features a dining space, surrounded by a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet, and a cozy reading alcove. A staircase provides access to the upper level. The upper level contains three bunk beds, offering a "camping-like" feel that is accentuated by the skylight views. The exterior features prefabricated timber construction with light-glazed timber battens and a copper roof. The inner surfaces are lined with veneered marine pine plywood, creating a warm, natural, and inviting atmosphere. The design creates a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors, allowing views of the surrounding landscape in all four directions. Project credits Architects: Clemens Kirsch Architektur (Lead Architect: Clemens Kirsch). Client: Family K. Location: Vienna, Austria. Year of Completion: 2023. Area: 35 m². Photography: Herta Hurnaus.

The Zen House is a tiny, 33-square-meter elevated cabin designed by architect Jan Tyrpekl for a farm complex in Hainburg an der Donau, Austria. Completed in 2023, the cabin was commissioned to provide a unique and serene retreat for relaxation, offering a deep connection with the surrounding nature, which includes an orchard and mature trees. The dwelling is perched on 4-meter-high concrete stilts, allowing the landscape to flow unimpeded beneath and creating a feeling of being in a "bird's nest," which offers a sense of security and intimacy. The structure is built from sustainable materials, featuring a frame of glued laminated spruce timbers and a platform and roof of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. The lower part of the structure and the terrace are made from glued laminated larch timbers. The most prominent feature of the design is the extensive use of glass walls, which enclose the entire living space to provide uninterrupted, 360-degree views of the natural surroundings. For privacy, interior curtains can be drawn. The open-plan interior is designed for simplicity and comfort. It includes a built-in bed, a connected bar/kitchenette, and a suspended fireplace that creates a cozy, warm atmosphere. The space is divided into distinct zones for sleeping, sitting, and conversing. Large HS portals—sliding doors—provide access to a spacious terrace overlooking the farm's orchard. While the current cabin lacks a bathroom and cooking facilities, plans are in place for a future expansion that will add a sauna, shower, and toilet in the space between the supporting pillars beneath the house. Credits Architects: JAN TYRPEKL Lead Architect: Jan Tyrpekl Photographer: Jakub Hrab Manufacturers: 2MAD Building s.r.o., DÍLO.work, Okna Jánošík Structure Engineer: 2MAD s.r.o. Project Manager: 2MAD s.r.o. Location: Hainburg an der Donau, Austria

"Tom's Hut, designed by Raumhochrosen Architektur Erzeugnisse, is a minimalist woodland cabin located in the Wienerwald, Austria, and created for an Austrian singer-songwriter and mental coach as a retreat from his hectic city life. The project is a reinterpretation of a dilapidated old building, carefully drafted to align with the passions of its owner. The structure is designed as a sanctuary for recreation, meditation, and personal development, offering a place for its owner to find balance and reconnect with nature. The design of Tom's Hut focuses on simplicity and a deep connection to its environment. The cabin features an angular shape that encloses a two-level space and is constructed entirely of wood, with an untreated larch exterior that helps the small structure blend seamlessly into its forest setting. One of its unique features is the ability to be firmly closed on all sides with wooden shutters, or to have its windows opened to provide varying views of the surrounding wilderness. The interior space, which some have described as ""chapel-like,"" is reduced to the bare minimum, providing only the essentials for a contemplative life. The off-grid nature of the cabin is a core aspect of its design. It deliberately eschews modern amenities like electricity, relying on a single water fountain, an indoor fireplace, an outdoor fire pit, and a stove for cooking and heating. This intentional rusticity provides an escape from modern conveniences and reinforces the project's purpose as a back-to-basics retreat. The thoughtful connection between the interior and the outdoors is emphasized by large openings at the front and back of the hut, visually and physically linking the living space to the surrounding nature. Credits: Client: Thomas Andreas Beck Design Team: Heike Schlauch, Robert Fabach Wood Construction: Meiberger Holzbau Photography: Albrecht Imanuel Schnabel"

"Architects Johanna and Gregor Schuberth of Schuberth und Schuberth designed the Summer Cottage Pötzleinsdorf as a vibrant and practical retreat for a young family. Completed in 2019, the small house is situated on a hillside plot at the edge of the Vienna Woods, within the distinct allotment garden settlement of Pötzleinsdorf. Rather than conforming to the varied and often chaotic architectural styles of its neighbors, the design offers a creative commentary by arranging three varying cubes into a spatial collage. These cubes are distinct on the exterior, combining materials like classic larch wood and corrugated metal with different colors and finishes. The interior of the cottage, however, unites these varied volumes into a single, cohesive space, maximizing the use of its limited 50 square meters. The design is a triumph of function over convention, allowing for cooking, reading, working, and sleeping to occur in a seamless spatial flow, unconstrained by traditional room definitions. The material palette for the interior is deliberately modest, featuring three-layer wood panels for the walls, linoleum flooring, and upholstered foam cubes that double as a sofa. This simplicity is contrasted by a vivid and playful color concept that energizes the internal space. While the exterior is characterized by natural and more subdued tones, the interior is a dynamic mix of hot orange-red and cool green-blue, complemented by accent colors like coral and light blue. The final effect is a home that joyfully captures the spirit of creating a small, personal kingdom within a larger community. The design has received notable recognition, including an award at the wienwood 21 competition. Credits Architects: Johanna Schuberth and Gregor Schuberth Design and Execution Plans: Viktoria Steininger and Florian Haim. Photographs: Christoph Panzer"