Modern cabin with large window in a forest setting, featuring dark wooden siding and sloping terrain.

A small, modern cabin with a large window is nestled in a lush, green forest setting. The cabin features dark, charred wooden siding and is positioned on a sloping terrain.

Wooden cabin with large window on a rocky slope surrounded by greenery.
Modern cabin with large window on a rocky slope surrounded by greenery.
Modern cabin with charred wooden exterior and large window, located in a natural setting with trees and rocks.
A modern wooden cabin with a sloped roof on a hillside, featuring a large window and surrounded by trees.
Modern cabin with dark charred wood exterior and large window on a sloping landscape with autumn trees.
Wooden cabin with large window on a sloping site surrounded by greenery.
Wooden cabin with dark exterior on a sloping site surrounded by trees.
Dark wooden cabin with sloped roof on rocky terrain with trees and mountains in the background.
Dark wooden cabin with textured exterior surrounded by greenery and hills.
Dark wooden cabin with sloping roof on a rocky hillside, surrounded by forest and mountains.
Dark wooden cabin with faceted design in a forest with mountains in the background.
Close-up view of charred wooden boards arranged in a textured pattern.
Close-up of a charred wooden wall with cutouts and rocks at the base.
Wooden cabin with sloping roof surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.
A modern cabin with a large window on a hillside surrounded by trees, with a person visible inside.
Modern cabin with large window on snowy terrain surrounded by trees.
Wooden cabin on a snowy hillside with mountains in the background.
A small, dark wooden cabin with a sloping roof on a snowy hillside.
Wooden cabin interior with bed, desk, chair, and large window with view of greenery.
Wooden cabin interior with bed, lamp, and window view of trees.
Interior of a wooden cabin with a person sitting on a platform, looking out a large window at greenery.
Interior of a wooden cabin with a person sitting by a window, wooden walls, ceiling, and furniture, and a uniquely designed door.
Interior of a wooden cabin with two people, one sitting on a bench by a window and the other on a chair, reading.
Interior of a wooden cabin with a person at a desk, large window view of greenery, wooden walls and furniture.
Interior of a wooden cabin with two people sitting on a platform bed, reading books. The space features wooden walls, ceiling, and a small window.
Wooden interior with a stone washbasin, black faucet, vertical mirror, and small window.
Interior of a wooden cabin with four people sitting and talking, featuring wooden walls and minimalistic decor.
Collage with a map of the Pyrenees and photos of surveying, sheep, logs, and construction.
Collage of architectural drawings and diagrams with a building, trees, logs, rock, and technical sketches.
Black and white rendering of a geometric structure with a sloping roof and large window.
Floor plan of a small cabin with designated areas for sleeping, working, and a bathroom, featuring human figures for scale.
Section drawing of a cabin on a slope, depicting interior with a person walking and another sitting on a bed.
Section drawing of a cabin with interior spaces and human figures demonstrating activities.
Sketch of two geometric forms on a slope, one faceted and block-like, the other resembling a natural stone.
Six architectural diagrams showing a geometric cabin design with features like solar orientation, landscape integration, and spatial expansion.
Exploded axonometric view of cabin design components including walls, roof panels, and structural elements.
Architectural sketch of a small cabin with a sloping roof and interior layout.

Story

An experimental wooden dwelling in the Pyrenees

Forestone Cabin, a 20 m² experimental wooden dwelling, is situated in the Pyrenees at MónNatura Sort. Designed by IAAC's 2025 cohort of the Master in Ecological Architecture and Advanced Construction, the cabin is part of the Bio for Piri initiative, promoting the sustainable use of local timber from Pyrenean forests.

The cabin's sculptural form is inspired by the rocky terrain of the Pyrenees, appearing as a block of stone naturally resting on the site. Its faceted geometry, composed of inclined walls and a sloping roof, responds to programmatic needs, climatic conditions, and solar exposure. Carefully positioned openings frame views of the surrounding mountains and enable cross-ventilation, while operable wooden shutters ensure complete darkness at night, preventing light pollution.

The exterior façade is crafted from pine boards charred using the Japanese Yakisugi technique, enhancing durability and symbolizing fire management—an essential aspect of regenerative forestry in the region. Inside, custom-made CLT elements form an integrated wooden space, with furniture and structural components designed and fabricated by students.

The project emphasizes replicability, demonstrating how small-scale architecture can be sustainably built using local materials and low-impact methods. It serves as a prototype for forest habitation, aligning architectural production with environmental stewardship.

  • Faceted geometry inspired by natural stone formations

  • Use of Yakisugi technique for durable, charred wood façade

  • Custom-made CLT elements for integrated interior space

  • Emphasis on local materials and craftsmanship

  • Adaptable, replicable design for sustainable forest habitation

Feature Detail
Location MónNatura Sort, Pyrenees
Size 20 m²
Material Local timber, CLT
Completion 2025
Initiative Bio for Piri

Forestone Cabin exemplifies contemporary architecture's capacity to integrate education, local industry, craftsmanship, and regenerative forestry, proposing an alternative approach to building in sensitive landscapes.

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Exterior: Charred pine boards using the Yakisugi technique.
  • Interior: Fully integrated wooden space with custom-made CLT elements.

Materials

  • Wood — Exterior cladding and interior elements.
  • Wool — Blankets, rugs, and pillowcases.
  • Stone — Washbasin.

Construction / Systems

  • Structural: Modular CLT elements and dry-assembly techniques.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: dark charred wood, natural wood tones
  • Lighting: Natural light through large windows, warm interior lighting.

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