complex curvy bookshelves decorate this writer’s cabin immersed in the nature of madrid

french studio MuDD architects designed and built a writer’s cabin for a children’s book writer in the north of madrid, spain. the client wanted an evocative space that gave her inspiration for her future books. the cabin is located in the heart of a green landscape and offers a space for meditation and motivation.

images by nachovillafoto

the project is the first of its kind for MuDD architects, where digital fabrication combined with highly skilled master builders is used in the same project for common daily use. part of the challenge was to design a cabin-like architecture with a contemporary twist. the architects found art in the simplest lines and wrapped the inside with a local maple wood envelope. they used simon LED lights on the envelope to highlight the large roof volume and the perimeter line of the terrace. other lighting fixtures with dimers allow the writer to change the ambiance of the place.

furthermore, some little lights are placed inside the oversized bookshelves giving the effect of fireflies. two technical lights placed 4 meters high, lit the main table of the writer. the continuous envelope of the cabin roof is made of folded oxidized iron. the finishing and tones are controlled by the level of oxidation. the architects custom-made an extremely thin oxidized iron frame for each main façade allowing the laminated glass to offer total integration of the house into the stunning garden.

the most challenging part but as well one of the most important parts of the house are the highly complex curvy bookshelves adapted to the very specific sloped high roofs of the house. locally sourced pine wood is used and purposely left natural to contrast with the maple syrup finishing of the maple inside the cladding panels. these bookshelves create a sensation of movement held still in a time where the heavyweight of both the horizontal and verticals are counterbalancing the weight of the high roof.

the bookshelves are composed of 100 different pieces cut with CNC where different sorts of dry assembly were tested in order to have the most discrete effect possible. at the highest point in the ceiling, a cast black iron chiminea is hung, creating a sense of equilibrium in the cabin. the terrace of the house is in seamless continuation with the wooden floor of the indoor. this project’s biggest challenge doesn’t lie in the techniques that require a huge number of hours for both digital and manual construction but mostly in the level of emotion the client has towards reaching perfection for her dream house.

project info:

name: the writer’s cabin

designers: MuDD Architects

photography: nachovillafoto

location: north madrid, spain

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: yasmina karam | designboom