The Mountain Refuge

Designed by Italian architects Massimo Gnocchi and Paolo Danesi, this cabin was inspired by traditional archetypes and translated into a modern escape using established methods to help occupants create a bond and connection with nature while maintaining a perfect balance between sustainability and design. The incredibly large front facing window plays an essential role in this as it bridges the indoors with the outside world right there at your fingertips.

While this design element praises any mountain ridge, its open plan layout creates absolutely stunning views no matter what terrain. This is an incredibly crucial part of the architect’s aim to help humanity reconnect with Mother Nature. This is why each module is an independent structure, allowing freedom of configuration and expansion. This means that different layout configurations offer occupants the opportunity to ‘manage space according to their needs.

To give you an idea of what can be done, renders were created by Massimo and Paolo envisioning elements such as a hanging fireplace surrounded by naturally sourced stools made from tree stumps. The living room and kitchen have been pulled together with a small kitchenette, sink and stove, while a small but still roomy bathroom with a shower and sink can be added. Another option is to create a wrap-around deck for summer or a beautiful rustic hot tub for winter. The possibilities are endless! 

This design also looks towards energy self-sufficiency, one of these being the roofs' ability to host photovoltaic panels due to its sharp pitch, which creates electricity and heated water. This can easily be done by placing the batteries of these panels underneath the cabin with a 450 cm gap beneath it, as we need a crawl space which the building code says. The option to collect your own rainwater and use a natural toilet also gives you the freedom to live off-grid in this incredibly well thought out design.

It has been made clear by both Gnocchi and Danesi that this prefabricated, tiny home start-up has no intentions of becoming a design item, nor a technological system.

CoolSpaces will exhibit at the Canterbury A&P Show 2023, with the Mountain Refuge Cabin to showcase what is possible. 

We had this year at the show, a different cabin (designed by NH-Design) and it has been a successful, epic event. Our team from CoolSpaces want to say thank you to our Main Sponsor: The Heating Company - Learn more here: https://www.theheatingcompany.co.nz/home-ventilation-systems-nz/lunos/

The Heating company offers a balanced ventilation unit, called Lunos to improve people's lives when it comes to internal air quality. This unit is ideal for smaller homes; however, they have other units suitable for bigger homes too.

We also want to say a big thank you to our other supplies who contributed: NH-Design, Mainland Decking, King House Removal, Wall Decor Ltd, Frontal Lobe, Chartek and Frame Protection Services and hope to work with you next year again.