Rugged eco-friendly cabins offer off-grid lodging in Norway’s wilderness

Nature is a resilient beast, but it can still be irreparably disturbed if we are careless with our actions. In keeping with an eco-friendly philosophy, <a href="http://www.kokoarchitects.eu/en/" target="_blank">KOKO architects</a> designed the Skåpet Mountain Lodges, a series of <a href="https://inhabitat.com/architecture/prefab-housing" target="_blank">prefabricated</a> weatherproof cabins in Soddatjørn, Norway that sit lightly on the land yet are beautiful and contemporary in design. Located on the Rogaland hiking trail, these off-grid alpine huts run on solar energy, gas, and wood-burning stoves.

Stavanger Turistforening, an association with 25,000 members that provides active and eco-friendly nature activities for the young and old, commissioned the Skåpet Mountain Lodges.

In keeping with the association’s ethos, these contemporary alpine huts operate on a system based on trust: visitors leave money for their stay in a box inside the lodge or fill out an invoice form with their personal information.

Visitors are also expected to replenish the food and materials supplies and clean the lodge before they leave.

Thus, the organization stipulated that the design of these “self-catering” huts be easy to maintain and encourage interaction between the different trekking parties so as to foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.

Thus, the organization stipulated that the design of these “self-catering” huts be easy to maintain and encourage interaction between the different trekking parties so as to foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.

The interiors are lined with wood to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere and are punctuated with a large panoramic window to overlook views of the landscape.

The main building comprises a kitchen, living area, and sleeping quarters to house 30 to 35 trekkers. Smaller lodges accommodate five each.

The huts also include a storage and sauna. Water can be taken from the lake.

The mountain lodges opened in August 2016.

Skåpet Mountain Lodges by KOKO architects

Plan and section