A competition-winning entry for a ‘pop-up hotel’ cabin for Epic Retreats Wales, located within the Snowdonia National Park.
The design takes its inspiration from the ancient landscape of Wales but utilises modern construction techniques. The structure is a combination of CNC-cut birch plywood ribs and sheathing panels, which act together to form a composite structure. The structural ribs are comprised of either three or five individual sections of plywood, tightly fitted together using interlocking ‘jigsaw’ joints. As a single internal material, the plywood provides both structure, finish, fixtures and fittings – including a plywood sink and bath. The faceted envelope is clad in locally-sourced Welsh larch boards stained black, whilst locally sourced sheep’s wool insulation and a log burning stove help to provide a warm and cosy interior.
* Michael completed the project whilst Director of Miller Kendrick Architects in 2017.