'periscope hut' by ELSE frames views of nature in the french alps

else forges connectivity between people and nature

Winner of the French Le Festival des Cabanes architecture competition, the Periscope Hut by ELSE perches near Lake Annecy in Saint-Ferréol, engulfed in the French Alps. Crafted from locally sourced spruce wood with the assistance of local volunteers, this cabin’s distinct periscopic design seeks to redefine the connection between people and nature, fostering a bond that didn’t previously exist. With a periscope opening crowning the top of the structure, it offers abstracted views of the scenic landscape, the structure offers an immersive and tranquil experience that frames the waterfall beyond and engulfing landscape in an unexpected perspective.

the cabin perches along a nature trail leading to the Cascade de Fontany | all images courtesy of ELSE

periscope hut overlooks the cascading waterfall

The Periscope Hut is located near a small village near Lake Annecy in Saint-Ferréol, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled along a nature trail leading to the Cascade de Fontany, it finds its place in a small clearing along the pebble shore of a stream, accompanied by a backdrop of cascading trees and waterfall in the distance. Responding to the site’s disjoint between the people and the natural environment, the team at ELSE manipulated the archetype of a basic hut to harmonize with the surroundings. Following the winding hiking trail and tracing the sound of the valley stream, visitors stumble upon the Periscope Hut, resembling a woodland creature peeking at the distant waterfall. Balanced on long, slender ‘feet’, the cabin gracefully lifts its hem as if about to cross the stream.

Embodying the essence of the waterfall landscapes, the Periscope Cabin absorbs and internalizes its surroundings, offering visitors an unexpected representation of nature’s beauty. Stepping inside, visitors are greeted by a serene and shadowed interior space where the suspended view of the waterfall takes center stage. This creates a spiritual and sensitive respite in nature, inviting quiet contemplation and appreciation of the scenic views. Through an ongoing dialogue with nature, the hut sparks an introspection about the relationship between humans and the natural world, reawakening a sense of connection and inspiring a fresh perspective on the way we interact with our environment.

Periscope Hut perches above sloping ground on wooden stilts