Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

This Modern Matte Black Cabin Is a Dreamy Weekend Retreat

This Modern Matte Black Cabin Is a Dreamy Weekend Retreat

Tucked away in Basque Country, Heva is a tiny prefab cabin that opens up to the landscape.

Developed by Michel Hardoin, founder of Atelier 6 Architects, this self-sufficient cabin melds modern comforts with organic materials. The name Heva is short for "habiter un espace de vie autonome," which translates to "living in a self-sufficient space."



A glimpse of Heva's interior and deck.

Heva is made predominately of wood, which Hardoin sourced either locally or from controlled origins. The cabin has a pine plywood structure, with wood fiber insulation. The cladding boards are charred to protect them from insects and weather, while also creating an inky hue reminiscent of regional lumberjacks’ cabins. Although it's prefabricated, the structure maintains a sense of artisanal quality-and it's stunningly designed.



The inspiration for Heva was a wooden home in Bordeaux, France.

Heva was inspired by one of Atelier 6's first projects-a timber frame house surrounded by pine forests in Bordeaux. The project lit a spark in Hardoin, who was compelled to continue creating wooden structures that sit lightly upon the land.



This cabin is designed to open up to the outdoors with large glass doors, although each unit can be individually configured.

Hardoin researched cabins around the world, and after six months of drawing and reflecting, came up with a design that fits the maximum weight restrictions to be transported by truck. He designed the cabin with an emphasis on balance-of proportions, masses, energies, light and dark, inside and outside.



The lower level serves as a dining area or workspace, while a loft provides a cozy sleeping nook.

"It draws from nature its elements-the sun, the water, and the wood of which it is entirely constituted," explains Hardoin.

Hardoin began the project informally with friends, and they soon began looking for builders to create the cabin-although most fell short. Finally, at a construction show in Bordeaux, Hardoin met Nicolas Laveau, manager of My Little Loft. The manufacturing company had built a tiny house on a trailer similar in size and finishes to what Hardoin wanted to build. They began brainstorming, and they adapted the original design to a more innovative wood frame.



A spacious deck and large glass doors allow for seamless indoor/outdoor living.



Light pine finishes make the interiors feel airy and spacious.

Next, Hardoin needed to figure out how to finance the first prototype. "I could either go see investors, or consult around me who was interested in participating in the project. It was my direct family that was seduced by the idea-my sister and my parents were the first to build one and create a company that could market them."



A view into the sleeping nook.

In 2017 Atelier 6 and My Little Loft built a prototype that would allow them to test and improve upon the design. They located the cabin at Darwin Eco-System, an alternative cultural space with a green economy hub, an urban farm, an organic grocery store, a skatepark, co-working spaces, and a wellness center (Le Bivouac).



The idea of balance is expressed in all facets of the project-from light to dark, indoor to outdoor.

"They warmly welcomed us, and we were able to test the autonomy of the equipment as well as the feelings of the visitors," says Hardoin. "It was a very enjoyable moment that provided us with a lot of visibility and ideas."

Now, Heva prefabs can be purchased and fully customized to suit a range of locations and personal preferences. They can even help with obtaining authorization for placing the cabin, and each one is made to order-so no two are exactly the same.



A simple, yet elegant vanity doubles as storage.

"The idea is that the structure is reproducible and can adapt to the desires of each person. We have designed different sizes and options; each element can be added to customize the whole."

They didn’t stop there, though-Atelier 6 Architects built a second cabin for seasonal housing, and then a pop-up store for surf brand Roxy, who wanted a movable space that ran on its own electricity. That cabin has toured multiple sports events and festivals throughout Europe.



This sleeping area includes a bookshelf and sconce.

The first Heva is currently available for rent on a beautiful site in Basque Country. "We want to move it next year to take it to the heart of a forest to rent on Airbnb as a soothing place where you can reconnect with nature and disconnect from everyday stress."



While modern in style, Heva channels the beauty of nature.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
×