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Perched on the edge of a hill, surrounded by the Apennine mountains and overlooking the Trebbia valley near Genoa, is a minimal, off-the-grid cabin called Hermitage Cabin. This beautiful log cabin was built for “contemplation and introspection”, and it occupies only 12 square meters. It can double as a secluded little house or even a cozy yoga retreat!
Designer: Llabb
Italian architecture studio Llabb drew inspiration from Scandinavian cottages and Japanese teahouses when designing the Hermitage. The cabin stands on four wood and steel supports, which rest on a bedded sandstone base. It features an intriguing modular form created from marine Okoume plywood in Llabb’s carpentry shop!
“Simplicity of construction, minimal impact on the land, and use of natural materials that are easily sourced locally allow for respectful installation in natural contexts. These Hermitages put humans back in touch with nature by lightening the burden of anthropisation that marks all construction activities,” said Llabb co-founder Luca Scardulla.
The cabin creates minimal impact on the surrounding landscape and is in fact “easily scalable and adaptable to different compositions.” It is strategically spread out on the edge of a hill. This part of the cottage features a full height glazed end, with a sliding door providing access to a quaint wooden deck. The terrace is protected by a retractable fabric awning. The Hermitage Cabin is also completely off the grid! It has been equipped with photovoltaic panels on the roof, as well as a composting toilet and water drums in the bathroom.
“Minimal and flexible, with the wide glass wall facing the terrace, the space feels light and contemplative,” said Llabb co-founder Federico Robbiano. “The interaction between the different levels offers the possibility to better manage storage spaces and technical compartments while contributing to the definition of an elegant atmosphere”, Robbiano concluded.
The interiors of the house are warm, wooden and welcoming. It is marked by a long counter on the right side of the cabin. A letterbox window sits above the countertop and can be used as seating or a desk with storage. On the other side is a cozy seating section and a pull-out bed. There is a small bathroom at the rear of the cabin.
The Hermitage Cabin is a beautifully minimalist and flexible cabin that can double as a quaint space to relax or even practice yoga. Surrounded by nature on all sides, it is the ultimate escape from city life.
