Collaborating with Wiki World, Advanced Architecture Lab has created a unique wilderness retreat called Cabin of Maze. This project challenges traditional architectural norms and human interaction with space by embracing the concept of “blurred” spatial relationships. Located in the Wuhan Ganlushan Culture Creativity City in China, this retreat combines solitude with community living for an immersive experience.
The core idea behind Cabin of Maze is to offer a living experience beyond conventional floor plans. The design features 13 interconnected rooms (bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms) scattered across a slender island, connected by a 100-meter-long, 80-centimeter-wide black corridor. This corridor becomes an integral part of the experience, disorienting and surprising habitants with its meandering paths.
Unlike traditional designs, Cabin of Maze aims to challenge visitors with its irregular angles and passageways, creating a sense of spatial disorientation. The cabin is designed to feel like a maze, turning the experience into a playful adventure of discovery.
Wiki World
The use of carbonized timber in constructing Cabin of Maze blends with the forest surroundings and ensures durability against the elements. This choice reflects the architects’ commitment to using natural materials and reducing the carbon footprint. The cabins, elevated above the ground, minimize disruption to the natural landscape, allowing for better water drainage and preservation of the ecosystem. The modular design of the cabins, connected by small metal components, enables easy assembly and reconfiguration, adapting to changing needs.
Wiki World
Although the cabins offer isolation, the design encourages social interactions with flexible partitions within the corridor. These partitions allow the space to be divided into five independent units, offering a balance of privacy and socializing opportunities. Inside the cabins, simplicity and a connection with nature are emphasized through organic textures and materials that complement the surroundings.
Wiki World
The design of Cabin of Maze is focused on simplicity, offering large windows for panoramic views of the river. The interiors provide a blank canvas for guests to personalize their space and feel at home in nature. While the design may not suit everyone due to its disorienting corridors and playful nature, it offers an innovative retreat experience by reinventing the village or tribe setting, promoting independence within a larger social fabric.
Source: Wiki World via Archdaily
