This 180-Square-Foot Cabin In Upstate New York Is All About Hygge

Hygge — a Danish concept of coziness that has crept into the modern American zeitgeist in the past few years — can be described as an effort to embrace all things comfy. "Think candlelight, music, fireplace, home-baked goodies," designer Søren Rose (of Søren Rose Studio) told Hunker. Along with Copenhagen-based architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group and Rose's tiny house initiative (Klein), the team developed a design that embodies all the elements of hygge: a 180-square-foot cabin in the woods of Upstate New York.

Klein, whose mission is to combine prefabrication manufacturers with top-notch architects in order to bring more beauty into the realm of small sustainable houses, set out to create a small house that could still yield all the comforts of a family home. "The goal for the home was to create a prefab, low-footprint home that could be built with minimum equipment and excavation," Rose said. The 13-foot-tall A-frame house features natural materials and eco-friendly appliances, and runs completely off solar power. Large triangular windows feature floor-to-ceiling views of towering spruce and fir trees outside.

Rose insists that tiny homes are especially equipped for low-footprint living. For those looking to make the jump into a smaller (and more sustainable) lifestyle, he has some advice: "It helps being a minimalist if you only buy stuff that you truly need — then you'll be fine in a tiny home. But if you love spontaneous shopping, you might fill up your home rather quickly," Rose said.

The 45-degree angle on the A-frame sets a geometric tone for the home, a modern contrast to the surrounding nature.

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Rose equates the immense popularity of tiny houses to population growth and a desire for affordability. Also, environmentally conscious design is important to a growing number of people. The house, powered by solar energy, has a small ecological footprint, especially in comparison to many suburban homes.

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According to Rose, one challenge of building houses of this nature is finding the right prefab manufacturer. "We have found a few [manufacturers] but are still looking for more capable of building tiny houses by the world's leading architects," Rose said.

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The table was created by Finnish designer Sami Kallio for SUITE NY. Materials, as well as the furniture used inside, were customized to meet the needs of the client.

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Minimalism is not only an aesthetic choice but a practical one in a house that measures less than 200 square feet. A Københavns Møbelsnedkeri-manufactured kitchen has all the necessary trappings for a small family.

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Although the house is small, privacy was still a priority. The cork lining on the walls provides a layer of soundproofing. Cork is also a natural insulator, keeping the home cozy in the colder months.

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The cabin-style house evokes the concept of hygge in a myriad of ways, including with the inclusion of the Morsø wood-burning stove.

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Wood is a defining material in the home, complementing its natural setting. The floors, manufactured by Dinesen, are made from Douglas fir.

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The bathroom is clad with cedar panels and features fixtures by the Danish brand VOLA.

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