A new forest cabin developed in the Pyrenees, the mountain range that separates Spain and France, is drawing attention for its unique design, built with an enhanced resistance to fire, that can be adapted for other wildfire-prone regions.
Developed by Spain’s Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), the Forestone Cabin is an experimental wooden dwelling designed and constructed by the 2025 cohort of the Master in Ecological Architecture and Advanced Construction. It was built as part of the Bio for Piri initiative, which promotes regenerative forestry and the sustainable use of local timber from Pyrenean forests, specifically in Alinyà, in the province of Lleida in Spain.
Located at MónNatura Sort in the Pyrenees, the cabin sits on a sloping site a short distance from an existing hostel. It offers temporary accommodation for two people and includes a sleeping area, a workspace, and a bathroom. The cabin has been open to guests since January this year.
A spokesperson for the IAAC told Newsweek that the Forestone Cabin measures 20 square meters (around 215 square feet) and was designed to maximize efficiency within a compact footprint. “The cabin accommodates two people and includes a bed, integrated seating and storage, a workspace, and a bathroom,” the spokesperson said. “All furniture and structural elements are integrated into a single timber system, maximizing efficiency and spatial comfort.”
According to the IAAC, the structure and exterior envelope were built using locally sourced cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and charred wood from nearby forests. Inside, the cabin incorporates custom-made CLT furniture, local wool textiles and a hand-carved stone washbasin, combining local craftsmanship with the building’s architecture.
The IAAC said the cabin’s sculptural form was inspired by the rocky terrain of the Pyrenees. It was conceived as “a block of stone that appears to have rolled down the mountain and come to rest naturally on the site,” the IAAC said in a statement. Its geometry is made up of inclined walls and a sloping roof that respond to climatic conditions and solar exposure.
According to the institute, the geometry subtly adjusts ceiling heights and spatial proportions to accommodate different uses within the small interior. Openings were carefully positioned to frame views of the surrounding mountains and enable cross-ventilation, while operable wooden shutters allow for complete darkness at night. The IAAC said this design choice helps prevent light pollution and supports the site’s astronomical activities.
A key feature of the cabin’s enhanced resistance to fire lies in its exterior treatment. The IAAC said the façade is made of pine boards with natural edges that have been charred using the Japanese Yakisugi, or Shou Sugi Ban, technique. This process involves burning the surface layer of the wood to protect it from insects, water, fire, and mold.
“These boards, cut to size and charred by the students themselves, not only increase the durability of the material but also symbolically evoke fire management and prevention,” the IAAC said in its statement. The institute noted that this is an essential aspect of regenerative forestry in the Pyrenees, whose name, Pyros, comes from the Greek word for fire.
A spokesperson for the IAAC told Newsweek that the Yakisugi technique was selected specifically for its performance benefits in wildfire-prone environments.
“The Yakisugi, or Shou Sugi Ban, technique was chosen because it enhances the durability of the timber by charring the surface, making it naturally resistant to insects, moisture, and decay,” the spokesperson said. “Importantly for wildfire-prone environments, the carbonized surface increases the wood’s fire resistance, providing an added layer of protection while maintaining a sustainable, low-impact material solution.”
The spokesperson added that the technique also connects the project conceptually to local forest management and fire awareness in the Pyrenees.
Beyond its material choices, the IAAC said the Forestone Cabin demonstrates how small-scale housing can incorporate fire-resilient strategies while minimizing environmental impact. “Forestone demonstrates how compact, small-scale housing can combine local materials, low-impact construction, and fire-resilient strategies,” the spokesperson said.
The cabin rests on lightweight foundations supported by just four piles, which the IAAC said helps reduce disturbance to the surrounding landscape. Most of the structure was prefabricated off-site, allowing for rapid installation and limiting environmental impact in the sensitive mountain setting.
“These features, together with its modular and adaptable design, make Forestone a model that could be replicated or adapted in other regions,” the spokesperson said, adding that the project promotes safety and ecological stewardship while maintaining comfort and architectural quality.
Designed as both a research project and a place for visitors to stay, the Forestone Cabin reflects the IAAC’s broader aim of exploring how architecture can respond to environmental challenges using local resources, traditional techniques, and contemporary design.
Do you have a design-related story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Read the full article here
