Located in the forests of Lillehammer, Norway, Cabin Vindheim by Vardehaugen is inspired by the archetypal classic snowbound cabin. The Oslo-based architectural firm devised a compact floor plan that features a large living room, bedroom, ski preparation room and a small annex with a utility room, all connected by an uninterrupted ceiling. The structure is built with black-stained pinewood, which appears in stark relief after a heavy snowfall. With the rest of the cabin virtually buried in snow, the sloping roof can be used for winter recreational activities, including ski jumps and toboggan runs. The structural connection to nature extends indoor as well, with a large 4m-long bedroom window that creates the impression of sleeping above the treetops and underneath the stars.
