A charred timber cabin overlooking the Sázava river and cliffs

Set on the banks of the Sázava River, this compact timber cabin rises from the remains of an earlier structure that once occupied the same site. After the original building was destroyed by fire, only its stone plinth survived. Rather than erase this fragment of memory, the new design absorbs it into the architecture itself, transforming the heavy masonry base into both a protective infrastructure against flooding and a quiet platform overlooking the river landscape.

The cabin is conceived as a place of withdrawal from the pace of urban life. Opening the large shutter toward the river reveals a panoramic frontage where water, forest and rock become part of the interior atmosphere. The sound of rapids breaking against boulders, the movement of kingfishers above the surface and the dense line of pine trees surrounding the site define the experience more than any decorative gesture.

Daily rituals unfold slowly here: gathering around the fire, grilling outdoors, heating the stove, sharing conversations late into the evening. Ascending toward the small attic sleeping area, the view gradually shifts away from the river toward the steep cliffs behind the cabin, revealing the dramatic topography that tightly frames this stretch of the Sázava valley.

MATERIAL CONTINUITY AND FIRE MEMORY

The structure combines a lightweight timber frame with the permanence of the existing stone base. Inside, spruce plywood panels line the walls and ceilings, while the exterior is wrapped in charred larch cladding. The blackened timber increases the façade’s durability and subtly references the fate of the previous cabin, embedding the memory of fire into the material identity of the new building itself.

Toward the rear slope, sheet metal cladding protects the structure from rainwater flowing down the hillside and roof surface. Throughout the interior, a restrained palette of natural wood, black metal and dark surfaces creates an atmosphere closer to a sheltered retreat than a conventional domestic space. Elements such as the wood burning stove, staircase and custom fittings continue the visual language of the charred façade, extending the relationship between architecture and fire from exterior to interior.

A durable natural linoleum floor allows uninterrupted movement between inside and outside, reinforcing the cabin’s informal and practical character. Despite its remote atmosphere, the cabin operates with a high degree of self sufficiency. Water is supplied from a well on site, wastewater is collected within a tank integrated into the plinth, and heating is provided through a combination of wood burning stove and electric heaters.

SPACE DEFINED BY TOGETHERNESS

The spatial generosity of the cabin emerges from the deliberate minimization of private rooms. Sleeping spaces are reduced to compact attic areas sized only for rest, allowing the main living space to occupy the full height of the structure. This central room becomes the social heart of the cabin, visually connecting the river in front with the cliffs behind.

Facing the water, the entire façade is fully glazed, opening the interior toward uninterrupted views of the Sázava River. A raised timber terrace extends the living space outward while protecting the cabin from seasonal flooding. When necessary, a folding shutter closes across the glazed frontage, shielding the interior from strong summer sunlight or securing the building when the weekend retreat comes to an end. In its closed state, the cabin transforms into a dark monolithic volume resting quietly above the riverbank until its inhabitants return again.

Project Credit

Studio Mimosa Architects / @mimosa_architekti
Location: Prosečnice, Czech Republic
Completion year 2025
Built-up area 69 m²
Usable floor area 78 m²
Photo: Petr Polák / @petrpolakstudio

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