London and Cumbria-based architecture practice Built Works conceived the Yogi’s Cabin in East Sussex woodland. The company built this rejuvenating retreat from striking charred wood that embodies the organic beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. The cabin, wrapped in a wooden engawa (patio or porch), beautifully blends indoors with nature, bringing the quaint atmosphere of the woodland inside.
The Built Works designed the Yogi’s cabin as a singular restorative retreat for practicing yoga and quiet occupation. The cabin sits alongside a freshwater pond in Great Park Farm, enveloped by dense woodland forest and a refreshing climate. The architectural team achieved a charred wood façade using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique, burning each plank by hand.
The architect team merged minimalist Japanese architecture with rural English landscape to create a safe refuge where you can let yoga and meditation soothe your mind, body, and soul. The engawa, secured with wooden railings, extends the 409-square-foot area. This forms a grounded platform that maintains constant connection with the outdoors. The deep eaves extend downward to protect the engawa from rain, so you can use the functional walkway in every weather without being fully exposed to the elements.
The most impressive aspect of this cabin is how it tracks natural light throughout the day. The grounded cabin’s east axis brings in sunlight for morning Yoga, while the west axis brings in gentle evening sunlight for restorative sessions. Every single nook and cranny of this quaint refuge heals the soul with natural forest sounds, bird songs, and gentle breeze.
The aforementioned traditional engawa forms a small veranda extending outward from the bedroom. You can do yoga while enjoying the fresh breeze or climb down the swim ladder for a revitalizing dip in the freshwater pond. After a refreshing swim, you can quickly wash yourself in the outdoor shower next to the bedroom.
The interior is completely wrapped in Douglas fir wood with vertical and horizontal lap siding on the walls. The exposed ceiling beams and intense woodwork throughout create a sensory, tactile rustic aesthetic. The wood-wrapped interior maintains the material’s organic continuity and keeps you connected with nature at all times.
The block-printed curtains separate various living zones, and the minimalist interior provides a distraction-free space, so you can enjoy a yoga session in complete peace. The kitchen and bathroom include stainless steel finishes for utility.
Also Read: How 16th Century Pirate Watchtower Transforms Into High-End Italian Coastal Property
The architects Will Gowland and Harry Kay built the entire cabin by themselves for the Architects Holiday company, which they created for singular and restorative practices. Kay’s children also pitched in, helping with the bathroom’s tilework, and his wife assisted with crockery. Kay hand-block-printed the curtains to complement the floor plan.
The Yogi’s cabin offers a surreal, peaceful refuge isolated from noisy urban landscapes where you can rejuvenate through yoga and other mindful restorative exercises. Since the cabin doesn’t overly ornate its interior with décor objects, the eyes won’t wander. This enhances the focus and makes yoga and meditation more beneficial. The biophilic design further keeps you calm and close to nature throughout the day.
Via: Dezeen
