A Scandi-Inspired Retreat in the French Countryside Comprises a Series of Monolithic Cabins
Situated at the heart of a Natura 2000 site, the newly open Breitenbach Hotel 48° Nord beckons travelers to bask in the region’s natural splendor.
Perched on a hillside in the small French hamlet of Breitenbach, located between the villages of Vosges and Alsace, is a cluster of soaring wood-clad cabins. Despite their scattered appearance, the 14 angular structures make up Breitenbach Hotel 48° Nord, an eco-retreat designed in collaboration by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter and ASP Architecture.
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Completed in 2020, the hotel "proposes a holistic and a true ecotourism experience that’s inspired by Scandinavian traditions, and builds on the region’s culinary, wellness, and nature opportunities," say the firms. The structures that make up the hotel interpret the traditional Scandinavian hytte, a Norwegian word for "cabin," and they provide a way to reconnect with nature. Situated within a Natura 2000 site, the project was designed to fit into a preserved setting without ever disturbing it.
"The goal was not to build a hotel per se, but to create a place to live, a habitat to welcome people and take them on a sensual journey by experiencing a new universe in natural surroundings," the firms add.
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
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ShopEscapology: Modern Cabins, Cottages and Retreats
Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan—Scottish interior designers, TV hosts, and property speculators—are cabin aficionados who divide their time between homes in Canada and their beloved Scotland. Escapology: Modern Cabins, Cottages and Retreats is a stunning book of modern-day retreats--bucolic weekend escapes by the sea, remote getaways in the woods, and rustic mountain hideouts--to inspire peaceful and quiet living. The authors genuinely believe that cabin time has a remarkably positive impact on our health, wellbeing and our happiness. Whether it's a rustic cottage nestled deep within a Nordic forest, a robust mountain lodge in Montana, a breathtaking treehouse in Canada, or a steel-walled, one-room "hotel" in Denmark, these retreats share one vital aspect in common: they proffer the chance to escape and to and live in harmony with nature, far from the madding crowd. Part style bible and lifestyle manual, the book features a beautiful collection of classic and contemporary cottages and cabins, each accompanied by an informative design profile and beautifully photographed images. And of course, the book is also packed with practical building and design advice that fans of Colin and Justin have grown to love. You'll find relevant information about different types of dwelling styles, builds, sustainability/off-grid living, tiny homes, renovation on a budget, room zonings, décor and everything in between.
Shop"With 48° Nord, I have imagined a space of freedom, open and intimate, where everyone can enjoy the calm of nature," says the hotel’s owner and landscape architect Emil Leroy-Jönsson. "Overall, the hotel is the meeting of my two passions, my two cultures: Nature and architecture, Denmark and Alsace."
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
Photo courtesy of Florent Michel @11h45, Yvan Moreau, Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter
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Project Credits:
Architect of Record: Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter / @reiulframstadarkitekter and ASP Architecture