Foret Eco Cabins

Discipline : Architecture

Categories : Other categories in architecture / Concept & Unbuilt : Grand Winner

Forêt Eco Cabins is a net-zero, wellness-based, eco-conscious resort set on a 60-acre site in Muskoka, Ontario, designed to elevate the outdoor experience with natural, quiet luxury. The forested property features rugged granite outcroppings, winding hiking trails, open marshes, and a meandering creek that enhances the experience of the landscape.

The founders’ vision is to offer curated forest experiences that encourage visitors to unplug and tune into nature’s rhythm, fostering deep connections to nature in an inspiring setting. Designed to attract both regional city-dwellers and international wellness travelers, the resort offers a blend of modern comfort and nature. Key amenities include a welcome hut, Nordic spa, and 11 fully equipped tiny eco-cabins—each featuring screened-in porches—designed to accommodate groups of two or four. Positioned throughout the site, the cabins offer unique experiences of the surrounding landscape—some resting on gentle slopes, while others perch atop the rugged rock formations of the Canadian Shield.

The design of the cabins offers a playful reinterpretation of the traditional cabin typology. A standard pitched roof is torqued to create a dynamic, sculptural form, blurring the distinction between roof and wall. This unique geometry not only enhances the cabins’ visual identity but also increases the height on the interior, framing expansive views into the surrounding forest. In the sleeping area, guests awaken immersed in nature, with a large triple-glazed window beside the loft bed offering a direct connection to the outdoors. From the screened-in porch, the lofted ceiling and open walls reinforce the feeling of being enveloped by the landscape. The interiors emphasize natural tones and finishes, including Grade-A maple plywood, terracotta tiles, bronzed plumbing fixtures, and natural fabrics.

The cabins were designed with sustainability at the forefront. As net-zero, low-VOC, and healthy buildings, they incorporate Passive House wall assemblies and sustainable materials, including light wood frame construction, wood fiber insulation, FSC-certified wood, and natural cedar shakes. To minimize site impact, the cabins are elevated on helical piles set atop the rock, preserving the natural landscape while creating the sensation of floating within the forest. The cabins will be powered by a solar array in the summer and supplemented by the electric grid in winter.

At approximately 45 square metres each, each cabin includes a full kitchen, encouraging guests to prepare meals using ingredients prepped by local kitchens and chefs. Outdoor fire pits offer a space for both warmth and gathering, as well as for campfire cooking. A screened-in porch seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living, offering a bug-free retreat with cozy seating and a hammock. Forêt Eco Cabins is more than just a retreat—it is a sanctuary designed to help the "always-on" unplug and reconnect with nature. 

The project in images