Lego Bricks in the Forest: Cottages at the Jasna Ski Resort

For several years, Belgian-Slovak architects Michiel De Backer and Martin Mikovčák have been designing miniature buildings under the name Ark-Shelter. These structures are intended for living, working or as extensions to existing living space. The eleven minimalist cottages in Slovakia are of prefabricated wood; they are distributed among the trees on the grounds of Hotel Björnson and enjoy a view over the pistes.

In order to protect nature, the architects decided in favour of raising the modules on low supports instead of setting them on conventional concrete floor slabs. Moreover, each cottage has been covered with a green roof. Every hut consists of two independent modules, each of which functions as an autonomous apartment with a living/sleeping room, a children’s room, a foyer and a bathroom. The modules can be joined via a sliding wall in the living room so that two families can benefit from a larger, shared living space.

In addition, every cottage has a floor-to-ceiling window that faces the surroundings: guests can completely immerse themselves in the splendid landscape and feel that they are amid nature, although the main building is but a stone’s throw away. At night, when the guests switch on the lights, the huts resemble larger-than-life lanterns. A restaurant and a sauna building with a relaxation room round out the sylvan situation of the Tree Houses at Hotel Björnson.