Before he had any formal training, physicist–turned–architectural designer Caspar Schols constructed a prefabricated garden shed for his mother, Anna, in 2016. The layered, moving walls of the Garden House could be rearranged to suit different occasions or adapt to weather conditions, and its ingenuity earned Schols not only recognition, but also a scholarship to study at the Architectural Association in London. There, the Dutch designer began to adapt the original design to create the ANNA cabin—a fully inhabitable house of flat-pack construction that can be built and rebuilt anywhere in the world.

The cabin comes in three different models—ANNA Stay, ANNA Meet, and ANNA Me. Whether for living, meeting, meditation, or recreation, ANNA provides dynamic configurations of timber construction with panoramic views that immerse users in nature.

Elegantly simple and magical in its mobility, ANNA’s walls slide open and closed on four rails, allowing it to expand and contract. Inspired by his deep fascination with nature—as well as the laws of physics—Schols has created an abode that can peel completely apart to let the surroundings in.

“The name ANNA is a palindrome that matches the palindrome character of the cabin,” explains Schols. “You could see the As as the glass sliding shells and the Ns as the wooden sliding shells.”

Built from sustainably grown materials, the interior is a pairing of Douglas fir and birch ply, while the exterior is finished in inland larch fir. All materials can be delivered in one piece or flat-packed, by land or sea. With the help of a mini electric crane, the elements can be put together in just five working days with three people. With easy-to-remove screw foundations, this impact-free structure leaves nothing behind in nature when disassembled.

ANNA Stay is designed for living and is suitable for up to four adults. Equipped with all the necessities of a home, ANNA Stay ensures comfort while still providing a true outdoor experience.

Designed for meetings and gatherings, ANNA Meet can be adapted for a family get-together, yoga class, or office space.

ANNA Me is a fully customized version that can be tailored to an individual’s unique desires. Schols sees ANNA as a “Rubik’s Cube to keep working on forever. And the final outcome is unknown.”

Starting at €83,000, or roughly $98,600 not including transportation, ANNA is currently for sale and ready for production in both on- and off-grid versions. You can schedule a free virtual or in-person viewing at its current location on a wildlife reserve.

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Caspar Schols / @casparschols