dark timber holiday cabins immerse guests in the stillness of remote german forest

Fröhlich Gassner Architekten’s holiday cabins

Kleine Bleibe (Small Stay) by Fröhlich Gassner Architekten is a sustainable holiday home in the sleepy village of Reckenthal, Germany, engulfed in the stillness and serenity of the Westerwald forest greenery. An ensemble of three minimalist wooden cabins, Kleine Bleibe is deeply rooted in its natural context, bearing dark timber facades and frameworks, pinewood finishes and wooden and screed flooring. The holiday cabins embrace and encourage a simpler, slower lifestyle, offering guests an opportunity to reconnect with nature, while they disconnect from digital stimulus and retreat from the hectic buzz of modern everyday life.

all images by Célia Uhalde 

kleine bleibe is embedded into nature

Fröhlich Gassner Architekten has designed a secluded retreat in a remote village housing only 114 residents. A sustainable and peaceful place to recharge far away from the stress and constraints of everyday life, the minimalist holiday cabins present a pure lifestyle narrowed down to the essentials, encouraging reflection and a reconnection with nature. The German architects dispense with all equipment that generates voltage, and apart from a stove, fridge, hairdryer, and a Wi-Fi router, there are no electrical devices in the Kleine Bleibe. These ideologies of simplicity, serenity and sustainability are reflected throughout the timeless, harmonious and pure architectural expression of the structures.

The Kleine Bleibe is composed of an ensemble of three unique structures, each of which engages in a harmonious dialogue with their natural context and expresses the philosophies that they stand for. The solid foundation and the black wooden facades of the holiday cabins are an homage to the traditional architecture of the town in which Kleine Bleibe is located. The cluster is imbedded perfectly into the townscape, while remaining proudly distinct and bearing its own modern signature. Further, echoing the forest surroundings, the purely natural architecture is robust and sustainable. With historical timber frames, and a dark wooden facade, the cabins’ walls, ceilings, and roofs are made of cross laminated timber, while solid wood floorboard and polished screed and water-resistant tiles enliven the interior. 

Kleine Bleibe holiday cabins are deeply rooted in their natural context

a remote retreat in the german forest

Three minimalist structures, including two cabins and one sauna, make up the Kleine Bleibe complex, which is encircled by old plum and walnut trees. Fröhlich Gassner Architekten carefully place the structures on site to preserve the existing vegetation, while the height and positions of each of the cabins are carefully balanced to maximise the scenic views.  

The WALDWUNDER cabin, which takes its name from the forest on the edge of which it perches, can accommodate up to four guests. With large windows and an open terrace that allows the outside to seep in, the surrounding natural landscape and architecture melt together, engulfing the inhabitants with a hint of serenity and nature. With a typical westerwälder communality, the cabin provides guests with all the amenities needed for a relaxing stay, including a generous kitchen, a cozy living room, seat windows and two bedrooms offering uninterrupted framed views of the serene forest.

Smaller and perfect for two people, GIPFELGLÜCK houses a variety of small spaces and nooks to pause and switch off, encountered when climbing the steep ascent to the cabin’s top floor. An intimate freestanding bathtub overlooks the forest, while a living area with a window seat and a small library offer an environment for cozy evenings of reading or creative exchange. Finally, the HITZEKISTE is a relaxing sauna adjacent to the cabins, which can be used whenever needed to unwind and strengthen the immune system. After the sauna session, visitors can acclimate in peace and quiet in the tranquil garden.

located in the sleepy village of Reckenthal, the holiday cabins are engulfed in the stillness of the Westerwald forest

the cluster is imbedded perfectly into the townscape, while remaining proudly distinct

uninterrupted framed views of the serene forest encourage guests to reconnect with nature

a pure lifestyle narrowed down to the essentials, encourages reflection and a disconnect from hectic modern life

GIPFELGLÜCK holds an intimate freestanding bathtub that overlooks the forest

WALDWUNDER includes a generous kitchen for cooking and dining together

project info:

name: Kleine Bleibe
architect: Fröhlich Gassner Architekten

location: Reckenthal, Germany

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom