The Shelter, designed by Slovakian-based Grau Architects, is a minimalist hiking refuge located on the SNP trail in the Slovak Ore Mountains. The project, an initiative of the hikers' association Hikemates, was completed in 2022 and provides a simple, year-round rest stop and meeting point for tourists and hikers at an altitude of 850 meters. The design prioritizes practicality and functionality over aesthetics, aiming for a utilitarian interior free of unnecessary elements while still providing optimal comfort. The 30-square-meter cabin features a straightforward, pragmatic layout designed for efficient use. To the right of the entrance are tiered sleeping platforms that span the height of the cabin, while to the left is a dining area with a small stove. Storage shelves are integrated for luggage and food. The building is set on road panels to protect it from moisture, and its pitched roof extends beyond the entrance to provide a sheltered entryway. Constructed entirely of wood, the Shelter's exterior is clad in black-stained spruce boards, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the forest environment. The frame is hinged and reinforced with black-grey stained pine plywood from the inside. For insulation, a horizontal grate of spruce prisms is used, filled with thermal insulation, and covered with a vapor-permeable foil. The roof consists of spruce prisms with insulation and is covered with corrugated galvanized sheet metal. The dark facade is accented by a vibrant blue-painted window frame and a red table, adding a playful touch of color to the otherwise monochromatic exterior. Credits Architecture: Grau Architects (Andrej Olah, Filip Marčák, Matej Kurajda, Simona Fischerová, Jana Filípková) Photography: Matej Hakár Collaborators: Hikemates (hiking association)

In the picturesque Demänovská Dolina of Slovakia's Low Tatras mountains, Ark-shelter designed a cluster of eleven modular cabins and a wellness area for Hotel Björnson Jasná. Completed in 2020, the project integrates modular, prefabricated structures into the forest environment to provide guests with a unique retreat close to nature. The design for the shelters was based on the hotel's request for single-sided, double cabins dispersed throughout the forest surrounding the main building. The cabins are elevated on stilts, minimizing contact with the ground and allowing the landscape to flow continuously underneath. This approach avoided disturbing the natural terrain and the growth of tree roots. The shelters were carefully placed between existing trees, rather than clearing the forest, to ensure both privacy for guests and preservation of the natural surroundings. Each cabin is oriented to face away from others and towards an undisturbed view of either the forest or the nearby ski slope through large, floor-to-ceiling windows. Each cottage is made of two independent modules, functioning as separate apartments. A sliding partition wall allows for the living rooms to connect, creating a single larger space for families or larger groups. The exterior is clad in black-painted spruce to blend with the dark tones of the surrounding forest. The interiors feature light, minimalist materials, including spruce panels and oak floors, to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Accommodation and wellness facilities The project includes eleven guest shelters and a wellness area. Guest cabins: Each of the 75-square-meter cottages is fully furnished and contains two independent apartments, with each apartment comprising a bedroom/living room, children's room, entrance hall, and bathroom. Wellness modules: The retreat also features a wellness facility consisting of four Ark-shelter modules configured to create saunas, relaxation rooms, and massage rooms for guests. Project credits Architect: Ark-shelter Lead Architects: Michiel De Backer, Viktor Mikovčák, and Martin Mikovčák Client & Co-author: Hotel Björnson Engineering office: Archekta Photography: BoysPlayNice Location: Low Tatras – Jasná, Demanovská Dolina, Slovakia Completion year: 2020