A minimalist wooden cabin on the banks of the Sázava River, rebuilt on the stone foundation of a former cabin. Charred larch, spruce interiors, black metal, and a fully glazed river-facing wall create a warm retreat deeply connected to the surrounding forest, cliffs, and water.
Architects: Mimosa architects Area: 78 m² Year: 2025 Photographs:Petr Polák
This cabin on the banks of the Sazava river is a light wooden structure built upon the stone plinth of a previous building. Designed for self-sufficiency and connection with nature, it blends a minimalist interior with a durable, charred exterior to create a serene retreat that bridges the gap between the river's flow and the surrounding cliffs.
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The cabin on the banks of the Sazavea river replaces its predecessor on the same site.
After the original cabin burned down, only the stone plinth remained, which the new structure
naturally incorporates. It provides protection from flooding and offers a sense of perspective.
Over the river, and perhaps over everyday haste, just slide open the shutter facing the river
and then simply listen to the splashing water and the whisper of pines, watch kingfishers above the
surface, and rapids breaking around boulders, grilling on the campfire, lighting the stove,
and talking with friends. In the evening, on the way to the small attic bedroom,
just big enough for sleeping, the river horizon disappears, and a view of the cliffs behind the
cabin opens, reminding everyone how tightly the Sazavea is enclosed between them here.
The cabin is a light wooden structure set on a robust stone plinth. The wooden frame is clad
on the interior with spruce wood panels and on the exterior with charred larch planks.
Charring gives the façade timber durability, while also making the cabin a bit less appealing
to uninvited guests. It also, perhaps somewhat cynically, connects it with the previous structure.
Toward the slope behind the cabin, the structure is clad in sheet metal resistant to water flowing
down from the roof. Thanks to the unified material palette and color, natural toned wood panel,
and black metal, the interior forms a cave rather than a collection of house and furniture.
The black metal of the wood stove, staircase, and other interior elements
naturally continues the theme of the charred façade, both in color and in its proximity to
fire. The durable natural linoleum floor allows free flow movement between the cabin and the
outdoors. Except for electricity, the cabin is self-sufficient. Water is supplied from an
on-site well, and waste water is collected in a tank within the plinth. Heating is provided
by a wood stove and electric heaters. The generosity of the main space is enabled by
minimizing the upstairs rooms to small but sufficient sleeping areas. After all, the
purpose of going out of the city is to be together. The shared space, spanning the full
height of the cabin, connects the front and back, river and cliffs. Facing the river, the main space
is fully glazed along its entire length, and the raised terrace replaces direct ground contact
while offering uninterrupted views of the Sezava. The terrace can be closed with a folding shutter
when the summer sun is too strong, or when the weekend ends, and the cabin transforms
into a closed, impregnable box. Until next week.
