UK-based prefab purveyors Koto and design agency Aylott & Van Tromp have teamed up to launch Hytte—a Norwegian word for “cabin”—which provides stylish, turnkey prefabs to operators within the hospitality industry. Off-the-shelf or bespoke designs are available as individual units, and can be clustered to create the feel of a community or village.

“It’s about providing both client and consumer with something a little bit different in these strange times,” says Aylott & Van Tromp and Hytte cofounder Nathan Aylott. “We wanted to give the client the ability to harness a site with minimal fuss, and create additional revenue with complete flexibility.”

For the customer, Hytte seeks to provide a sense of escapism and comfort that “retains that raw feeling,” says Aylott, “the lovely pared-back quality that comes from camping in the wild or being close to nature.”

Hytte combines Scandinavian and Japanese elements for a minimalist aesthetic that compliments a variety of landscapes. The first design on offer is a trapezoidal, 260-square-foot cabin clad in shou sugi ban–treated larch. Inside are a luxury bathroom, kitchenette, window bench, wood-burning stove, and a king-size bed with integrated storage. Each cabin can be ordered completely furnished with a selection of curated pieces from Hytte’s design partners.

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The concept for the cabins came about last year, when Aylott & Van Tromp approached Koto to coordinate a response to the shifting hospitality marketplace. “On one hand, there is a natural and personal reaction to mass market holidays, overbearing commercialism, and a growing sense of environmentalism,” says the Hytte team. “Then throw into the mix COVID-19 and you have the perfect storm.” The results combine Koto’s expertise in minimalist prefab design with Van Tromp’s experience in hospitality and interiors.

How companies will implement the flexible structures is yet to be seen, but the Hytte team is confident that we won’t soon return to over-commercialized and cramped accommodations. “Whether it will be shorter localized getaways reachable by car, bike or foot, or opting for an increasingly isolated accommodation, much of our newly acquired social distancing habits are here for the long haul,” they say.

Hytte will initially be available in the United Kingdom, Europe, and parts of the U.S. To learn more, visit their website.

More from Koto:

Koto Just Unveiled a Tiny Work Cabin That’s Cut Like a Diamond

Plant Prefab and Koto Launch New Net-Zero Homes With Scandinavian Style

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Koto Design / @koto_cabins

Interior Design: Aylott & Van Tromp / @aylottandvantromp