One of the best things to do a the weather gets warmer is to escape to a summer cabin. This collection of summer cabins may inspire people to do just that -- or to build one of their own all together. Filled with stunning architecture that focuses primarily on nature, there are designs that let nature in, help sustain nature and so much more.
Yet what really makes these summer cabins stand out are the contemporary twists many architects have taken the liberty to play with. From rectangular silhouettes that stray away from the more traditional triangular ones to the use of concrete in place of wood, there are a number of ways they've brought summer cabins into the 21st century.
50 Examples of Summer Cabins
From Nature Embedded Architecture to Sustainable Cottage Residences:
Meghan Young — May 16, 2015 — Eco
50
Multi-Purpose Outdoor Homes
Broadhurst Architects Inc.'s 'The Crib' is Versatile
49
Deceptive Cottage-Shaped RVs
The ESCAPE Luxury RV Cabin is Not Your Average Mobile Vehicle
48
Camouflaged Forest Cabins
This Timber Cabin Blends in with Its Natural Environment
47
Luxurious Eco Abodes
Eentileen Arkitektur's Denmark Cabin Features a Sustainable and Chic Design
46
Deceptive Cottage RVs
The Escape Cabin by Kelly Davis is a Tiny House on Wheels
45
Eco-Friendly Cedar Cabins
The Stealth Cabin Combines Modern and Traditional Design Philosophies
44
Nature Embedded Architecutre
The Nahahum Balance Associates Architects Home is Set in Nature
43
Rural Off-Grid Cabins
The Tintaldra Rural Cabin Blends in Seamlessly With its Rugged Surroundings
42
Mobile Log Cabins
These Modern Mobile Homes Have a Rustic Feel Inspired by Log Cabins
41
Modular Outback Cabins
The Modscape Cabin Functions Off The Grid
40
Contemporary Forest Residences
Chile's CBI House Blends Modern Design with Natural Topography
39
Contemporary Dutch Cottages
Zecc Architects Designs a Countryside Cabin Using Shuttered Walls
38
Sustainable Cabin Residences
Lang Architecture's Hudson Woods Home is Eco-Friendly and Elegant
37
Modernist Country Cabins
Tomek Michalski Contemporary Cottage is Customized and Cozy
36
Cozy Oceanside Homes
The Provincetown Beach Cabin Brings Comforting Decor to the Seaside
35
Rustic Trailer Residences
Heirloom's Mini Mobile Cabin is a Hipster's Dream Home
34
Leaning Cabin Residences
Uhlik Architekti's Compact Vacation Home is Supported by a Standing Rock
33
Tropical Cozy Cabins
This Tiny Hawaiian Wood Cabin is Only 200 Square Feet But Feels Airy
32
Removable Eco Pods (UPDATE)
IN-TENTA Upgrades its Previous Design to the DROP XL
31
Cozy Backyard Bunkies
The Collingwood Shepherd Hut Offers Comfy Permit-Free Overflow Accommodation
30
Single-Room Residences
This 1960s Log Cabin Brings New Meaning to the Term Open-Concept
29
Sleek Tourist Cabins
The Rabot Tourist Cabin Shelters Hikers in the Mountains
28
Deceptive Concrete Residences
The AV House by BAK Arquitectos Shows Cement Can Have Warmth
27
Woodsy Prefab Cabins
Chris Pardo Design's Small Prefab Home is Ideal for Cozying Up with Nature
26
Wild Woodsy Homes
The ‘Tree House Porch’ by John Grable Architects is Divine
25
Eco-Friendly Cottages
This Contemporary Cabin Recycles Old Materials
24
Spectacular Slanted Mountain Retreats
'Canyon House' by Balance Associates Architects is Stunning
23
Mountain Top Cabins
People Can Enjoy a Free Place to Stay If They Climb 8303 Feet to Get There
22
Modular Timber Cabins
This Luxurious Hamptons Home by Rangr Studio is Tucked Away in the Woods
21
Rock-Resembling Mountain Retreats
This Compact Cabin is Concealed as a Hillside Boulder
20
Sci-Fi Alpine Structures
The Ufogel Lodge Fuses a Contemporary Concept with Traditional Practices
19
Folded Transparent Cottages
The Zeroplus Architects Sneeoosh Cabin Brings the Outdoors Inside
18
Wrapped-Around Timber Abodes
Forrester Architects Blends This House with its Surroundings
17
Top-Popping Cottages
The Shadowboxx House Features an Attached Cabin with a Hinged Roof
16
Barnyard-Inspired Architecture
MU Architecture's Malbaie VIII Residence is Like a Modern Log Home
15
Mirrored Cuboid Cabins
'The Lookout' Blends and Reflects the Surrounding Landscape
14
Mountainous Treehouse Hotels
This Hotel is Located in the Blue Mountains of Australia
13
Stilt-Supported Cabins
The UFOGEL Holiday House was Designed by Peter Jungmann
12
Descending Level Abodes
The Casa Casablanca 67 House is Situated on a Hillside
11
Contemporary Country Cabins
The Garden St. Residence is Inspired by a Modern Loft Interior
10
Crafty Camouflage Cabins
Antoine by Bureau A is an Alpine Cabin Cleverly Disguised as a Boulder
9
Island Chalet Residences
The Vashon Island Cabin Features a Daylight Basement
8
Composer-Targeted Cabins
Johnsen Schmaling Architects' Structure is a Serene Retreat for Musicians
7
Stilted Timber Cabins
The Charred Cabin Encapsulates the Bare Minimum for Living
6
Catilevered Cove Homes
The Gambier Island House Features a Private View
5
Angled Weekend Retreat Cabins
ON Design Creates the Ideal Getaway in Japan
4
Compact Elevated Cabins
Olson Kundig Architects' Sol Duc Cabin Design Withstands Floods
3
Slatted Rooftop Cabins
The Detached Cabin is Intended For an Athens Rooftop
2
Understated Hillside Abodes
Norway's Vega Cottage is a Modern Translation of a Classic Cabin
1
Repurposed Norwegian Dormitories
Snohetta Revived a Wooden Boathouse for Summer Camp
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Eco-Minded Micro Cabins
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Japanese-Inspired Portable Tiny Homes
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Accordion-Style Cabin Designs
The 'IWI' Cabin Expands and Contracts with Ease
Warm Wood-Filled Tiny Homes
The Häuslein 'Luna' Tiny Home Prioritizes Timber Finishes
Modernized Micro Farmhouses
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Rooftop Patio Tiny Homes
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Configurable Nomadic Tiny Houses
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Comfort-Focused Luxury Dome Tents
The Spherescape Tent is Described as "An Innovative Masterpiece"
A-Frame Alpine-Inspired Cabins
The Adventure Whare Retreat by Studio Well is Demure
Generously Glazed Tiny Homes
This Vacation House Has An Ingenious Interior Layout
Multifunctional Tiny Cabin Designs
The Western Colorado Tiny House is Off-Grid-Ready
Minuscule Sustainable Rainforest Cabins
The 3×3 Retreat is Nestled in the Chilean Rainforest
Compactly Cubical Camping Shelters
The 'Maverick' Offers Durable Dwelling Both On & Off the Grid
Cat-Centric Compact Homes
This Japanese Dwelling Embraces Feline-Friendly Design Choices
Cube-Combining Tiny Homes
This Unique Tiny Home Uses Modular Spaces to Enable Flexible Use
Displaced Persons House Designs
The Essential Homes Research Project Has a Bunker-Like Form
Elegant Summer Holiday Homes
Olson Kundig Designs the Dalarö House Oon a Rocky Waterside Site
Shipping Container Tiny Homes
UnContained Dreams Designs the Rising Sun Tiny Home
National Park-Inspired Tiny Homes
The Backcountry Tiny Homes 'Basecamp' Tiny House Has a Roof Deck
Floating Meditative Pavilion Designs
The Crystal Lake Pavilion by Marc Thorpe Design is Tranquil
Glamorous Camping Experiences
Volodymyr Hahonin Designs the LULU Glamping Experience
Eco-Minded Modular Cabins
The DUB Modular Cabin Has a Cost-Effective Construction
Secluded Polish Cabin Designs
The Boroteka Cabin from the Zarysy Studio is Enchanting
Smart Glass-Topped Lookouts
These Picturesque Cabins Offer Stunning Views Of the Sky
Serenely Stilted Houses
This Sustainable Tiny Home is Situated On An Elevated Platform
Outdoor Entertaining Tiny Homes
The Acorn Tiny Homes True North Retreat Has a Barbecue Area
Modern Compact A-Frame Houses
Linda Cedar Homes Boast Easy-to-Build and Affordable A-Frame Houses
Temporary Cabin Hotels
Overtreders W Utilized Locally Sourced Materials for This Project
Prefabricated Miniature Home Concepts
i29 Creates the Câpsula Concept for Dutch Design Week
War Plane-Inspired Off-Grid Homes
Peter Markos Designs the Tiny Monocoque Cabin
Weather-Resistant Tiny Homes
This Off-Grid Tiny House is Designed For Year-Round Enjoyment
Shutter-Accented Tiny Homes
The houzEKO Tiny House Offers All-Season Efficiency and Privacy
High-End Cottage-Like Tiny Homes
The 'Burrow' Tiny House from Rewild Homes is Family-Friendly
Treehouse-Inspired Norwegian Residences
This House Aesthetically Connects With its Surroundings
Prefabricated A-Frame Cabins
Diano Salvador Designs the SULA Cabin in Galapagos Islands
Sustainable Off-Grid Minimal Cabins
Marc Thorpe Presents the Fremont House in New York
Picturesque Family Retreats
Malcolm Davis Architects Adds to This Beautiful Building
Miniature Seaside Wooden Cabins
Alexander McGee Designs a New Wooden Cabin in Cape Town
Energy-Efficient Prefabricated Homes
The 'SON.DER' Home Offers Environmentally Responsible Living
Sustainable Smart Cottages
The LG Smart Cottage is a Compact Prefab with Cutting-Edge Tech
Incredibly Modern Lakeside Houses
Stephenson Design Collective Converts an Old Boy Scout Camp
Wildlife-Embracing Jungle Homes
This House is Fully Exposed to the Costa Rican Jungle
Backyard-Transformed Dwelling Units
Catch Architecture and Obreval Design the ADU Carpintaria
Geometric Structural Forest Homes
The C House by GetAway Projects has a Half-Hexagonal Shape
Modular Flat-Pack Cabins
Caspar Schols' Cabin Anna is Versatile and Cost-Affective
Angular Getaway Cabin Homes
Frits de Vries Architects Designs the Halfmoon Bay Cabin
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Stunning Mid-Century Coastal Homes
Design Theory Updates a House from the 1960s
Local Culture-Honoring Beach House
The Skagen Klitgaard Beach House by PAX has Historic Background
Contemporary Ski Home Projects
Alfredo Paredes Reimagines the Traditional Ski Chalet
Circus Tent-Inspired Holiday Homes
Cubo Design Architect Designs the Circus Home in Japan
Nature-Connecting Vacation Homes
kaviar.collaborative Designs the New House by the Lake in India
Contemporary Backyard Pavilions
AMDLD Circle Designs the Cosmo Pavilion for Ethimo
Summertime Getaway Treehouses
The Columba Treehouse is a Family-Friendly Cabin in Portugal
Prefabricated Forest Saunas
Out of the Valley Creates an Elegant and Compact Sauna in Devon
Incredibly Modern Residence Interiors
Susanna Cots Works on Autumn in the North Project
Socializing-Centric Tiny Dwellings
The 'Buttercup' Tiny Home Lets You Have Guests Over
Shade-providing Forest Pavilions
DRAA Designs the Patagonian Shadow Cabin with Modern Accents
Harmonious Modern Beach Houses
Raiz Arquitectura Designs the Casa D31 is São Paulo, Brazil
Sci Fi-Themed Glamping Retreats
The 'Outpost X' Retreats Boast An Ancient Yet Futuristic Aesthetic
Ultra-Modern Ash-Clad Cabins
Line Solgaard Arkitekter Build the Kjerringholmen Cabin
A-Frame Forest Tranquil Houses
Pérez Palacios Arquitectos Asociados Designs a New Forest Home
Modern Forest Homes
Bourgeois / Lechasseur Architects Design the Des Forges Residence
Rentable Miniature Modern Cabins
The Nest is a Tranquil Rental Space at ReWild Rentals
Farm-Inspired Guest Houses
Kaja Kühl Designs Two Guest Houses in Upstate New York
Tranquil Contemporary Cabin Retreats
Dominik Ilichman and Adam Hofman Design the Hyatta
Traditionally Formed Gabled Homes
Studio Circle Growth Designs the Casa De Mi Luna
Outdoor-Blended Summer Houses
Erling Berg Studio Designs the I/O Cabin in Risør, Norway
Captivating Modern Prefab Cabins
Lloyoll Prefabs Creates the SKALI BackCountry Cubiod
Snow Mountain Minimal Homes
Design Over The Norms Creates the Blissful Snowfall House
Countryside Woodland Cabin Designs
BABELstudio Creates the Aralar Cottage in the Forest
Shore-Perched Modern Homes
Prentiss + Balance + Wickline Design the Tongass Ledge
Rejuvenated Former Bank Buildings
This Dutch Building Now Boasts Solar Panels & Insect Hotels
Traditional Japan-Honoring Homes
Cubo Design Architects Designs the C4L House in Tokyo
Farmland-Inspired Rural Hotel Cottages
Kooo Architects Designs the Ningshan LuZhai Cottage
Bamboo Luxe Pool Houses
Baldó Arquitectura Designs the Godai Pavilion with a Hanging Roof
Solar Powered Luxe Treehouses
Fort Treehouse Co. Designs the Baltic Treehouse in Canada
Off-Grid Self-Sufficient Island Homes
Vollebak and Bjarke Ingels Design the Earth House in Canada
Tranquil Cozy Canadian Cottages
Omar Gandhi Architects Designs the White Rock Cottage
Contemporary Wooden Blue Cabins
Markéta Cajthamlová Designs the Wooden Cabin in the Mountains
Nature-Surrounded Miniature Homes
STUDIOFEM Designs The Mini Located in the Village of Cavusin
Monolithic Metal-Formed Homes
Boyd Architects Designs the Summerville House in South Carolina
Elevated Timber-Clad Homes
Habitable Form Designs the Victory Bay House on Kiawah Island
Wooden Screen Stacked Houses
DB Arquitectors Designs the Casa VJC Iporanga In Brazil
Relaxing Wooden Holiday Homes
Norm Architects Designs the Heatherhill Beach House
Self-Sustaining Houses
Archiopteryx Designs the People Tree House in Noida, India
Repurposed Wooden Shoreside Homes
H2 Designs the Tree House by the Lake in Vietnam
Meadow-Overlooking Sleek Homes
StudioAC Designs a Holiday Home iwth a Cedar-Clad Build
White Wood-Clad Cubed Houses
Stanaćev Granados Designs a Chilean Holiday House
Bamboo-Clad Residential Homes
i29 Designs the Open Park Villa to Connect with Nature
Contemporary A-Frame Cabins
Heliotrope Architects Creates the Buoy Bat A-Frame Cabin
Blackened Timber Tranquil Cabins
The Hideaway House is Nestled in the Abundance of Nature
Harmonious Modern Wooden Cabins
MARDI Designs the MOT.22 Home in France's Cap Ferret
Charred Timber Home Extensions
Grotto Studio Adds a New Shadow House to a Cottage in Perth
Nature-Leveraging Home Designs
PAE Designs the Casa Coaba Tucked in the Hillsides
Natural Light-Centric Timber Homes
Studio Varey Architects Designs the Huron House in London
Contemporary Nature-Inspired Homes
Fuller/Overby Architecture Designs the Nebo House
Mountainous Long Structural Cabins
Far + Dang Creates the Linear Cabin in Oklahoma
Local Craft-Shown Bamboo Pavilions
AtArchitecture Designs the Northeast Pavilion for an Art Fair
Log Cabin-Inspired Minimal Homes
Gartnerfuglen Arkitkter Designs the Årestua Home in Telemark
Elevated Treetop Modern Cabins
NAMO Architecture & i29 Architects Create the Buitenverblijf Nest
Community Hub Timber Pavilions
The Craft Not Carbon Pavilion Raises in London's Park
Monolithic Sleek Summer Homes
Jan Henrik Jansen Arkitekter Creates the Vollerup Atrium Home
Modern Mobile Futuristic Homes
Nestron Presents its Range of Contemporary Tiny Homes
Compact Calming Homes
Batay-Csorba Architects Masterfully Designed a Modern Brick Home in Toronto
Tree-Centered Cubic Home Designs
Moises Sánchez Designs the Tonalli House in Jocotepec
Juxtaposing Contemporary Homes
Bates Masi Designs the Stony Hill Project with Various Volumes
Forested Residential Buildings
GAAGA Designs the Forest Bath Building Framed by Tree Trunks
Cutout Roof Cement-Clad Homes
Edition Office Designs a Home with a Focus on Tree Views
Modular Wooden Holiday Homes
Arsenit Designs the Piil Home Resting in an Estonian Forest
Wooden Structural Outdoor Bedes
Marco Lavit Designs the Hut Lounge Bed for Ethimo
Sustainable Cubic Homes
Appels Architekten Designs a New Wooden Home in Germany
Log Cabin-Inspired Modern Homes
Balbek Bureau Renovates a Home in Ukraine with Steel and Concrete
Hospitality Contemporary Cabins
Andreas Martin-Löf Deisgns the Landet Series of Cabins
Natural Landscape-Surrounding Homes
All(zone) Designs the Under the Rain Trees Holiday Home
Minimal Bird-Watching Cabins
Inclume Architects Designs the Cozy Hide Cabin in England
Nature-Immersive Tranquil Resorts
Stilt Studios Designs the Treehouse Villas in Bali
Traditional Barn-Style Residences
Young Projects Designs the Six Square House in Bridgehampton
Open-Air Kenyan Holiday Homes
PAT Renovates the Falcon House with Passive Cooling Systems
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Illuminating Water-Based Pavillions
Daniel Ryabakken Installs the Shelter Pavilion in Stockholm
Lantern-Like Tea House Pavilions
Grau Architects Designs the Tea House Pavilion by the Lake
Greenery-Surrounding Cabins
MAP Architecture Designs the Creek Cabin to Blend to the Wetlands
Contemporary Stacked Residences
StudioAC Designs the Everden Residence with Minimal Details
Reconfiguring Dutch-Based Cabin Designs
Caspar Schols Created the New Modular Cabin Anna
View-Overlooking Portable Wooden Saunas
BIVAK Studio Designs the Portable New SAUNABIVAK
Renovated Retro Ski Lodges
Hetedik Műterem and Studio Konstella Extend the Normafa Ski Lodge
Rustic Contemporary Bunkhouses
SHED Architecture & Design Unveil the Guemes Island Bunkhouse
Sleek Timber-Constructed Sheds
Fabric Designs the Nightlight Shed in Akaroa, New Zealand
X-Shaped Nature-Interacting Gabled Cabins
Tall Architects Designs the Fowl River Cabin in Alabama
Wooden Pavilion Seaside Homes
LAND Arquitectos Designs the House of Circumstances in Chile
Modern Holiday Mountain Cabins
Sanina Arch lub and Gubar Architects Designs the Krasnyk House
Lantern-Topped Sleek Workshops
Cabinet Designs the Gardeners House in a Park in Geneva
Landscape-Overlooking Modern Cabins
Wendell Burnette Architects Creates the Telescope House
Idyllic Tranquil Nature-Surrounding Cabins
BLDG Workshop Designs the Algonquin Highlands Cottage
Beachfront-Inspired Tranquil Bungalows
The Captain Balfour Joins the McKinley Bungalows Capsule
Gabled Annexe Vintage Cottages
Studio Bower Designs the Solit-Garreau Residence for a Family
Architectural Tranquil Cabin Retreats
Snøhetta Designs the Bolder Lodges in Lysefjord
Weatherized Visual Wooden Homes
Denizen Works Creates the Hundred Acre Wood House in Scotland