Top of the Lake: Tiny Cabins in Dark and Light

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Two tiny cabins owned by two friends in New Zealand offer an important reminder: a retreat need not be massive to offer a peaceful hideaway.

Designed by firm principal Nat Cheshire of Aukland-based Cheshire Architects, the cabins are two projects for two clients: friends who pooled their money to buy a plot of land on a moody, remote estuary in northern New Zealand. They built their own shed cabin atop it, and took turns sharing it before deciding that two tiny, but very special, homes would better suit their needs.

The result is a pair of structures full of dichotomies: They have small footprints but stick out jarringly from the landscape. They’re basic plywood buildings, but with luxurious details inside. And one is black, the other light.

Photography by Jeremy Toth, courtesy of Cheshire Architects, except where noted; with quotes as told to New Zealand’s Home Magazine,

the cabins&#8\2\17; charred wood exteriors make them contrast with the land 17 — Above: The cabins’ charred wood exteriors make them contrast with the landscape, but their lack of conventional “house” details–like a pathway from the road or a front door–make them look like objects that might always have been there.

says designer nat cheshire, &#8\2\20;in that big, long grass it feels more 18 — Above: Says designer Nat Cheshire, “In that big, long grass it feels more like these were boats tied up at moorings in a slow-motion ocean.”

each cabin has two openings: one serves as an entrance, the other as a window. 19 — Above: Each cabin has two openings: one serves as an entrance, the other as a window. But the entrance is not a door–instead, visitors step up onto a boulder to climb inside the large opening. “We hoped that in subverting the shorthand language of building, these little constructions might feel like something other than–and more than–houses.” Cheshire’s office spent days figuring out how to lock the openings without any visible hardware.

the light cabin&#8\2\17;s interior is plain builder&#8\2\17;s plywood. 20 — Above: The light cabin’s interior is plain builder’s plywood. Here, an occupant enjoys the water view from the open “window.”

Ostentatious second homes were not in the budget for this project but weren’t wanted, anyway. The petite cabins were created in part as a reaction to overly large, little-used vacation houses. “Holiday homes have become this country’s decadence,” says Cheshire. “We wanted a different vision for New Zealand’s coastal future.”

The cabins are entirely off the grid, and each has a bathroom, kitchen, living room, lofted sleeping space, and outdoor shower. For ventilation, wood hatches open in the bathroom and sleeping lofts.

the entryway of each cabin looks inward toward the land. 21 — Above: The entryway of each cabin looks inward toward the land.

The estuary-side plot was zoned for a single 1,500-square-meter (16,145-square-foot) house. Since this plan called for two separate dwellings–albeit at 29 square meters (312 square feet) each–Cheshire and his clients had to argue their case for special permission to build. In total, the two cabins required just over eight sheets of plywood.

the designer and owners liked the idea of adding luxurious details inside and w 22 — Above: The designer and owners liked the idea of adding luxurious details inside and wanted each interior to be distinct, one bright, the other moody. Says Cheshire, “There’s a responsibility with objects of that scale that someone who is bold enough to commission it deserves to be delighted in every junction.” Furnishings in the light cabin include an Ercol sofa and AJ floor lamp by Arne Jacobsen.

each kitchen has a small sink, refrigerator, gas stove, and dishwasher drawer. 23 — Above: Each kitchen has a small sink, refrigerator, gas stove, and dishwasher drawer. In the light cabin, the kitchen nook is lined in oiled jarrah eucalyptus wood. At left, the small closet bathroom. Photograph by Darryl Ward.

the black cabin&#8\2\17;s view of the mangrove inlet. rather than adding wa 24 — Above: The black cabin’s view of the mangrove inlet. Rather than adding walls of glass to immerse the cabins’ occupants in the landscape, the architect actively avoided an indoor/outdoor experience. “The cabins are a retreat from the landscape rather than a saturation in it,” he says.

he black cabin is lined in form ply–low cost panels covered in polished 25 — Above: he black cabin is lined in form ply–low-cost panels covered in polished black coating–which creates a deep, inky space. Says the owner: “At night, if there’s just a couple of candles going, the panels have a sheen that’s quite disconcerting; it’s like you’re sitting in a void, or outside.” Furnishings in the black cabin include a daybed by Donald Judd and an Eleanor Cooper twig mobile overhead. Photograph by Darryl Ward.

the petite kitchen. 26 — Above: The petite kitchen.

the black cabin&#8\2\17;s kitchen has the same appliances as the light cabi 27 — Above: The black cabin’s kitchen has the same appliances as the light cabin but is lined in glamorous brass paneling. Photograph by Darryl Ward.

the dark cabin&#8\2\17;s sleeping loft, with a skylight overhead for viewin 28 — Above: The dark cabin’s sleeping loft, with a skylight overhead for viewing stars. Photograph by Darryl Ward.

above l: both cabins&#8\2\17; showers are outdoors, facing the water. r: th 29 — Above L: Both cabins’ showers are outdoors, facing the water. R: The entrance opening of each cabin doubles in function as a small deck. Photograph by Darryl Ward.

cheshire wanted the cabins to exist boldly in the landscape, to “invoke 30 — Above: Cheshire wanted the cabins to exist boldly in the landscape, to “invoke the kind of dislocation that might stop you in your tracks, and help you see anew.” Photograph by Darryl Ward.

N.B.: This story is one from the archives; it originally ran on October 9, 2015, and has been updated with new images.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the tiny cabins featured in this article?

The tiny cabins featured in this article are part of a project called Freunde von Freunden x Vitra. Created by Freunde von Freunden, a magazine that explores the homes and workspaces of creative individuals around the world, the project seeks to create a series of tiny cabins that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

What is the design inspiration for the cabins?

The design inspiration for the cabins comes from the traditional alpine huts that are found in the region. The cabins are designed to be small and cozy, with simple and functional features that make the most of the limited space. The use of natural materials and a minimalistic color palette also adds to the overall aesthetic of the cabins.

What are some of the features of the cabins?

The cabins are designed to be functional and comfortable despite their small size. Some of the features include built-in storage, a fold-down table, a bench that doubles as a sleeping platform, and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The cabins are also designed to be portable, so they can be moved to different locations if necessary.

What are some of the design differences between the light and dark cabins?

The light and dark cabins have similar designs, but there are some differences in the materials used and the overall aesthetic. The dark cabins have black-stained cladding on the exterior, while the light cabins have natural wood cladding. The dark cabins also have black-painted interiors, while the light cabins have white-painted interiors. The overall effect is that the dark cabins have a more stark and minimalist look, while the light cabins feel warmer and more welcoming.

Are the cabins suitable for year-round living?

The cabins are designed to be used as temporary dwellings, so they are not intended for year-round living. However, they are well-insulated and can be heated, so they are suitable for use in colder climates. The cabins are also designed to be easily transportable, so they could be used as a weekend getaway or a summer home.

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