The entrance to this beautiful wooden cabin set on a steep cliff in Bergen, Norway, looks like a portal to another dimension. You’re not sure what you might find once you gingerly climb inside, but no matter what your expectations may be, the interior will surprise you. It’s a warm, comfortable and relaxing cabin crafted by a design-build workshop at the School of Architecture.
Called the “Tubakuba” (Tuba Cube), the mountain retreat is made of various kinds of Norwegian wood and measures about 150 square feet. Each exterior wall is different, with the out-facing wall entirely made of glass so inhabitants can gaze out onto the valley.
These walls use different architecture techniques from around the world as a sort of experiment to see how they will change over time, including a maintenance-free traditional technique from Japan. The highly unusual tunnel entrance is made of pine shavings.
Inside you’ll find a series of rounded built-in furniture made of plywood, including a bench and a lofted bed, as well as a wood stove. The Tubakuba will function as Bergen’s only off-grid hotel room.

