# DIY Portable Wooden Sanctuaries The Hermit Houses Offer a Remarkable Way to Enjoy Nature By Amy Wallace | Published 2013-07-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-sanctuaries References: [hermithouses.nl](http://www.hermithouses.nl/index.php) & [archivenue](http://www.archivenue.com/hermit-houses-by-the-cloud-collective/) Portable and [DIY](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-cat-tree) sanctuaries are one of the recent architectural and design developments to surface from Europe. [Hermit Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hermit-space), designed by Daniel Venneman and Mark van der Net, were originally created as an escape from the popular Oerol Theatre Festival, located on the island of Terschelling in the Netherlands. Now, with DIY construction kits, people are able to assemble their own hermit houses in two days. The designs are clever as they reflect innovative European design; individuals are greeted with a modern, geometric yet also rustic style structure that is unlike anything else on the market. The [Abé](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-tk), one of the original designs, is designed for a couple or small family, and is complete with a two-person bed, eating area, kitchenette and porch. Other designs vary in shape and features offered; the Emy provides an open concept for those who like to sleep outside, while the Elly is larger and more luxurious. These small houses, which can serve as a holiday home, playhouse, lounge area or garden pavilion, offer a unique way to enjoy the outdoors. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Portable Sanctuaries:** The trend of portable and DIY sanctuaries, particularly in clever and unique designs like Hermit Houses, offer opportunities for disruptive innovation in the housing and outdoor recreation industries. - **DIY Construction Kits:** The trend of DIY construction kits for portable sanctuaries allows for innovation in both the home building and recreational industries, providing a unique and customizable experience for consumers. - **Innovative European Design:** The trend of innovative European design in portable sanctuaries, with the Hermit Houses' modern, geometric yet rustic style structure, presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in architecture and design industries. ### Where This Applies - **Housing:** The portable sanctuary trend could disrupt the traditional housing industry, offering an alternative and affordable housing option that is easily movable and customizable. - **Outdoor Recreation:** The trend of portable sanctuaries provides a unique and customizable experience for consumers in the outdoor recreation industry, offering a new way to enjoy nature and the outdoors. - **Home Building:** The trend of DIY construction kits for portable sanctuaries provides opportunities for disruptive innovation in the home building industry, allowing for a unique and affordable way to build and customize homes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Shape‑shifting Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-offgrid-house.md) - [All-Glass Mesmerizing Compact Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beaufort-bushland-retreat.md) - [Compact Modular Forest Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-house.md) - [Futuristic Modular Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pebl-grand-cabin.md) - [Tranquil Nature-Centric Cabin Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nortehaus.md) - [View-Overlooking Portable Wooden Saunas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saunabivak.md) - [Sustainable Off-Grid Remote Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daria-sheina.md) - [Ultra-Efficient Tiny Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hirondelle-tiny-house.md) - [Eco‑tiny Sanctuarys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tign-tiny-homes.md)