Yearning forrustic simplicity? Open the door toCabins,a gorgeous showcase ofminimal, low-impact, peacefulabodes around the world. From contemplative bliss in an English coastal studio to a bamboo bungalow in Sri Lanka, each of these minimal homes exudesinnovative, eco-friendly, mindful living.

Life in the Woods

Creative cabin architecture, from California to Sapporo

Ever since Henry David Thoreaus described his two years, two months, and two days of refuge existence at Walden Pond, Massachusetts, inWalden, or, Life in the Woods(1854), the idea of acabin dwellinghas seduced the modern psyche. In the past decade, as our material existence and environmental footprint has grown exponentially, architects around the globe have become particularly interested in the possibilities of theminimal, low-impact, and isolated abode.

Cabinscombines insightful text, rich photography, and bright, contemporary illustrations by Marie-Laure Cruschi to show how this particular architectural type presentsspecial opportunities for creative thinking. In eschewing excess, the cabin limits actual spatial intrusion to the bare essentials of living requirements, while in responding to its typically rustic setting, it foregroundseco-friendly solutions. The cabin comes to showcase some of the most inventive and forward-looking practices of contemporary architecture, includingRenzo Piano, Terunobu Fujimori, and Tom Kundig, all embracing suchdistilled sanctuary spaces.

The book showcases the variety of cabins in use and geography. From an artist studio on the Suffolk coast in England to a bamboo bungalow in Sri Lanka, this collection isas exciting in its international reach as it is in its array of briefs, clients, and situations. Constant throughout, however, is architectural innovation, and an inspiring sense of contemplation and coexistence as people return to nature and to aless destructive model of being in the world.

The illustrator

Marie-Laure Cruschiis a French illustrator who founded Cruschiform in Paris in 2007. In her work, she combines art, graphic design, illustration, and typography. Her sensitivity to color and simple modular forms allows her to create playful and poetic illustrations. Marie-Laure Cruschi has long worked on cultural and fashion magazines and childrens books, as well as with music and luxury brands.

The author

Philip Jodidiostudied art history and economics at Harvard and editedConnaissance des Artsfor over 20 years. His TASCHEN books include theHomes for Our Timeseries and monographs on numerous major architects, includingNorman Foster,Tadao Ando,Renzo Piano,Jean Nouvel, andZaha Hadid.

Cabins. 45th Ed.

Hardcover,15.6x21.7cm,1.10 kg,512pages

ISBN978-3-8365-9375-5

Edition: Multilingual (English, French, German)