Wiki World, a Hubei-based architecture firm, has completed an experimental holiday home called Red Cabin that stands on stilts within a metasequoia forest in Wuhan, China. The project is part of the Merryda Wiki World Secret Camp, a development featuring more than a dozen treehouses scattered throughout a woodland area known for its migratory bird populations. Located in the Dongxihu District, the cabin represents the firm's ongoing research into alternative living models that work in harmony with nature. The design process prioritized environmental preservation, with every existing tree protected and no ground hardening implemented during construction.
The cabin's distinctive red color and compact form were inspired by the migratory birds that inhabit the forest, creating a structure that is visually striking yet physically unobtrusive. Standing completely elevated on prefabricated timber stilts, the building allows the forest floor to remain untouched and continue its natural ecological processes. The off-grid design emphasizes isolation and limited access, encouraging residents to engage directly with the surrounding environment. This approach creates a living experience defined by reduced infrastructure and a deeper connection to nature.
Construction relied entirely on laminated timber components that were digitally designed and custom-fabricated for precise assembly. The modular system enables efficient transportation, quick on-site assembly, and future disassembly or relocation. Small metal connectors join the timber elements, allowing the structure to be taken apart and reassembled multiple times without permanently altering the site. This prefabrication method minimizes construction waste and environmental disruption while demonstrating the potential for reusable building systems.
Interior spaces are intentionally compact, aligning with Wiki World's exploration of reduced spatial dimensions, including research into homes as narrow as two meters wide. Each room features a window oriented toward the forest, creating visual continuity with the outdoors and making the surrounding trees part of the interior experience. The entrance facade is minimally detailed, marked only by a circular light fixture and the doorway. Material choices emphasize texture and craftsmanship, with exterior cladding made from carbonized wood boards produced through traditional firing techniques.
The elevated design eliminates the need for conventional walls or artificial landscaping, allowing the forest itself to serve as the primary enclosure and spatial boundary. This approach reflects Wiki World's broader investigation into small-scale wilderness dwellings that prioritize environmental responsiveness over standard residential amenities. By focusing on the relationship between living patterns and natural context, the project positions architecture as a lightweight, reversible intervention rather than a permanent imposition on the landscape.
Red Cabin demonstrates how contemporary design can create comfortable living spaces while maintaining ecological integrity. The project's success suggests a future where holiday retreats and even permanent homes can exist within sensitive natural environments without causing harm. As climate change and urbanization increase pressure on wilderness areas, this model of elevated, prefabricated, and adaptable timber construction offers a promising alternative that balances human comfort with environmental responsibility.
