Hammoc safari cabin
The purpose of building is to provide shelter for people from the elements and the gaze of others. In its simplest form, shelter means a safe-feeling backdrop from which one can observe their surroundings in peace. In Hammoc, a 13m2 prefabricated safari cabin, the idea of a safe-feeling backdrop has been architecturally interpreted in a distinctive triangular shape, with two walls forming a solid corner and one left open for a sweeping panoramic view.
The design features three key elements that are essential for a comfortable and life-affirming experience in nature: a glazed indoor area, an auxiliary space, and a zigzagging fence that ultimately encloses the corner and creates a small back garden. This garden enables two distinct conditions of openness and privacy: one that emphasizes views of the broader landscape, and another that focuses on the back garden. The latter occurs when the main curtain is closed, transforming the back garden into an enclosed courtyard—a private, secluded space that still maintains a connection to the outdoors.
Constructed from solid timber logs, Hammoc relies on two load-bearing elements: a thick back wall and a tower-like auxiliary space that stabilizes the structural system. The triangular floor and roof slabs are suspended between these elements, much like a hammock. The space uses solar power for electricity, making it fully off-grid-ready. Hammoc is prefabricated in a controlled environment at a factory in Kouvola, Finland. The finished indoor spaces are transported to the site by truck and lifted into place with a crane. On-site, the structure is completed with the protective fence and stair elements.
Hammoc seeks to break away from the boxy quality often associated with small prefabricated spaces, offering a different take on minimalism that maximizes the indoor-outdoor experience and enjoyment of nature.
