A Shed in Spain’s Basque Country Is Reworked Into a Tiny Cabin With a Woodshop

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Project Details:

Architect: BABELstudio / @babelstudio

Location: Sierra de Aralar, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain

Footprint: 215 square feet

Builder: Lainoa Construcciones

Furniture: Narata / @naratashop

Photographer: Biderbost Photo / @biderbost_photo

From the Architect: "The project for this cabin was born from the renovation of an old 215-square-foot tool shed located in Sierra de Aralar (Gipuzkoa).

"The owners of the hut are a young creative couple who live in the city of Bilbao and are keen on carpentry and other manual work, as well as being passionate about nature and hiking. In this place, they were looking for a retreat space where, in addition to staying overnight, they could find a place of inspiration and work immersed in nature.

"Although practically none of the elements of the existing construction could be maintained, due to current regulations it was necessary to maintain its size and volumetry. In this way, the project proposes to enhance the simplicity of the original form, a square floor plan with a gabled roof, eliminating all the additions and enhancing the characteristic image of a cabin in the forest.

"The new envelope is based on sustainable systems inspired by the building’s own environment. The façade is composed of a timber frame with timber panels on the inside, intermediate thermal insulation, breathable waterproof sheeting and timber board cladding on ventilated battens on the outside. The roof is constructed with a sandwich system of insulation and corrugated sheet metal. In order to achieve a visual contrast with the green of the forest and to achieve greater abstraction of forms, a black color tint has been applied to the entire envelope of the hut.

"The hut is divided into two halves of equal size. The first area is a cozy sleeping area with a sitting area and fireplace. This area incorporates two large windows that connect the interior space with the exterior, allowing a feeling of total contact with the surrounding nature.

"The other half is dedicated to a carpentry workshop, where wood collected in the forest itself is carved. This space includes a small dry bathing area. A small-scale round window and a large folding door provide light and ventilation. The side opening provides access to the tools and logs needed for workshop work."