Dezeen Magazine

Les Rorquals by Alain Carle

Ten black cabins in remote places around the world

From waterfront properties with uninterrupted views to gabled homes nestled among pine trees, we've rounded up 10 black cabins that provide hideaways in unique places around the world.


Les Rorquals by Alain Carle

Les Rorquals, Canada, by Alain Carle Architecte

This house is among a number of black cabins in Canada's province of Quebec. Built by Alain Carle Architecte, the gabled construction nestles into a hillside in Cap-à-l'Aigle and overlooks the Saint Lawrence River.

It is called Les Rorquals after Rorqual whales that are common in the estuary.

Find out more about Les Rorquals ›


Cabin Stokkoya by Kappalnd

Cabin Stokkøya, Norway, by Kappland Arkitekters

Norway's cold climate is the ideal setting for darkly painted cabins, including this island retreat by Kappland Arkitekters.

Interiors are covered in pale wood and feature a large window in the living room for expansive views of the sea.

Find out more about Cabin Stokkoya ›


Minimod by MAPA

Minimod Curucaca, Brazil, by MAPA

Deep within Brazil's southern Curcaca Valley is this dwelling, which is topped with a green roof to help blend in with its remote surroundings.

Local architecture studio MAPA created the prefabricated cabin with cross-laminated timber panels – an engineered wood in which slices of wood are layered at right angles and glued together.

Find out more about Minimod Curucaca ›


Chalet Grand Pic by Appareil Architecture

Chalet Grand-Pic, Canada, by Appareil Architecture

Another dark cabin in Quebec is this holiday home by Montreal studio Appareil Architecture.

Clad in corrugated steel painted a shiny black, the residence is topped with silver metal roofing and complete with a smaller, matching unit for storage.

Find out more about Chalet Grand-Pic ›


Big Cabin Little Cabin by Renee Del Gaudio

Big Cabin Little Cabin, USA, by Renée del Gaudio Architecture

This Colorado home comprises two units of varying sizes, giving the project its name Big Cabin Little Cabin.

Located in the town of Fairplay and built on a rocky cliff, the remote dwelling has panoramic views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the South Platte River and the Collegiate Peaks.

Find out more about Big Cabin Little Cabin ›


Casa R by Felipe Lagos

Casa R, Chile, by Felipe Lago

Casa R is a slender abode in Chile's southern town of Vilches near Patagonia, by Santiago-based architect Felipe Lago of studio Tu Croquis.

The volume comprises an open-plan ground floor and a mezzanine with a bed, accessed via a spiral staircase.

Find out more about Casa R ›


Geodesic dome by Jess Cooney

Geodesic Dome Cabin, USA, by Jess Cooney

Jess Cooney Interiors renovated a geodesic dome house from the 1980s in Massachusett's pastoral Berkshires.

Its round exterior is covered in black roof shingles, while its interiors are crisp white with plenty of natural light.

Find out more about Geodesic Dome Cabin ›


Alpine Noir Chalet by Keystone and Casework

Alpine Noir Chalet, USA, by Keystone Architecture and Casework

A slanted roof defines this narrow dwelling in Oregon, whose design takes cues from Dutch architecture.

Custom black paint coats the exterior to give the cabin's wooden facade a slightly faded appearance, while stark white and black accents feature inside.

Find out more about Alpine Noir Chalet ›


Summer house by Hanna Karits

Summer house, Estonia, by Hanna Karits

Northern Europe is teeming with black houses, including this beachfront holiday home in Estonia on Matsi Beach.

The residence is built on the remains of a Soviet-era fishing village and its barren garden is interspersed with abandoned wooden boats.

Find out more about Summer House ›


Lot 6 by PBW

Lot 6 Cabin, USA, by Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects

Rounding out our list of 10 black cabins is this woodland retreat in Washington's Methow Valley.

The slow-slung dwelling is surrounded by both pine trees and meadows and features pops of yellow inside.

Find out more about Lot 6 Cabin ›