I’ve heard some of my architect friends say that dynamic design is the key to striking the right balance between nature, habitation, and people. If someone truly believes in the aforementioned philosophy, it is the renowned Dutch designer Caspar Schols. Caspar’s ‘ANNA Stay’ project recently bagged laurels at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Lisbon. The moving wooden cabin in Netherlands won the World Hotel Building of the Year award 2022 and when I looked at the design, it truly deserved every bit of it.
Offering multiple split configurations, the new ANNA Stay or ANNA 2.0 is a beautiful wooden cabin with two sliding shells that extend to reveal a glass-covered inner shell or an open-air lounging. The unique structure offers the opportunity to fall asleep while gazing at the stars. All this may sound familiar as we covered the project back in 2021. The company has however come up with a more beautiful iteration of its previous model that now incorporates a sunken bathtub and a stowable bed in its structure.
Finished in sustainable Accoya wood, the cabin’s exterior is built from different materials to ensure the best durability and strength, while the interior is coated in birch plywood. The cabin features two protective sliding shells as outer walls that you can adjust to set up the living space as per mood and weather. The sliding inner shell made of glass and wood allows you want to sleep under a starry night -whether you keep it in center or slide to the end.
What makes the cabin intriguing is how one chooses to play with the shells as it offers multiple configurations to the inhabitant. The two layers are carried by eight industrial wheels guided by supporting rails. By shifting the shells and the glass framework, different setups are possible.
Inside the cabin, there is an ample open space that ideally functions as a living room. Three is also a kitchen and shower made of wood and stainless steel. Another key highlight of the cabin is the sunken bathtub that is hidden underneath the floor and can be accessed via a hatch. Not to forget the stowable bed, which is also concealed underneath the floor and can be raised when required. I can also spot a wood-burning stove that would keep the residents thoroughly warm during the winter. In addition to all this, ANNA Stay 2.0 also features a tiny house-style loft that functions as another bedroom. The loft can be accessed via a removable ladder.
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Overall, ANNA 2.0 gives the freedom to live among nature and enjoy quality time. Suited to a wide range of climates and weather conditions, it accommodates two to three adults and is ideal for both short-term and long-term living. There is no word on the pricing yet, though it is expected to cost bonkers.
