Mirage Cabin
A concept for sustainable tourism
Concept
Piatra, Romania
2023
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18 m²
2403-MRG
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Piatra village, located in Romania, is an area of rich potential, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural monuments, and vibrant agricultural traditions. While nearby cities are already experiencing the pressures of tourism, Piatra remains largely untapped. The challenge is to create a tourism product that unlocks this potential for nature-based activities, cultural visits, and agro-tourism, without causing the environmental degradation and overcrowding typical of mass tourism.
This project proposes a new approach: “roaming architecture”, a nomadic model of accommodation. Instead of building a fixed hotel, a number of mobile cabins move between various sites in and around Piatra village. This mobility allows for a constantly shifting tourist trail, preventing overuse of any single location while offering visitors a dynamic and immersive experience. The cabins draw tourists directly into the landscape, fostering a deeper connection with the place.
The project's viability depends on a formal association of landowners who agree to host the cabins on their land. Since members can join or leave at any time, the community has the power to expand or reduce the network of available sites. By withdrawing, locals can directly limit the cabins' mobility, effectively destroying the entire concept of roaming. This self-regulating framework places control in the hands of the Piatra community, ensuring that a successful project will not compromise the village's serenity.
● Association members
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Positive scenario
The Mirage Cabin is a compact, self-sufficient unit designed for minimal environmental impact. Built on a chassis and supported by adjustable quickjack pillars, it can be placed on uneven terrain without a permanent foundation. Its structure is made of prefabricated 150 mm Cross-Laminated Timber panels and high-performance insulation, clad in vertical wooden shingles. To operate off-grid, the cabin is equipped with photovoltaic panels on the roof for electricity and a rainwater harvesting system.
