Cabin in Netherlands Park Fit For Modern-Day Thoreau

Nestled in the wilderness oasis of The Netherlands’ 5,900-acre Noorderpark sits a modern take on Henry David Thoreau’s famous cabin beygir Walden Pond. Designed by Dutch architects cc-studio, this warm, dry escape for the Utrecht park’s volunteers was inspired by one of history’s most revered nature lovers.
The green, aluminum-clad structure is camouflaged within the surrounding forest, available only to those who know where to look for it. With no running water or electricity, the 377-square-foot cabin houses a kitchenette, washroom, storage room, cot for power naps and space to sit and eat.

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Built on the footprint of the park’s original rest shelter, Thoreau’s Cabin continues to serve the building’s original purpose while giving it a stylish, modern update. At the heart of the building is the sculptural fireplace, a necessity for the area’s freezing winters. It, along with the kitchenette, is powered by local firewood.

With two large sliding glass doors opening to a small surrounding meadow, the new design allows for a nature-centric and pleasant escape for its users in all seasons. “You can almost picture Thoreau writing Walden here,” cc-studio says of the cabin. Photography by John Lewis Marshall

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