Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

This Tiny Glass Cabin in Remote Iceland Takes Stargazing to the Next Level

This Tiny Glass Cabin in Remote Iceland Takes Stargazing to the Next Level

A prefab dwelling overlooking an active volcano features architectural details inspired by Viking culture and Nordic mythology.

Imagine lying in bed in a tiny glass cabin at the foot of Iceland’s most active volcano and watching the spectacle of the northern lights, or a five-hour-long sunset play out through the transparent roof and walls that surround you. This is the magical reality crafted by Estonian brothers Andreas and Jaak Tiik. The duo’s company ÖÖD Homes built a tiny cabin for Panorama Glass Lodge Iceland on a remote site at the foot of the Hekla volcano in the south of Iceland.



ÖÖD offers a range of "mirror houses"-tiny prefab cabins that are often used as guest houses, countryside getaways, and Airbnb accommodations. So far they’ve built projects in 12 different countries, including Estonia, Finland, and Norway. The ÖÖD Iceland home is a bespoke design, based on the clients’ wishes and strict local building requirements. These impacted everything from the dwelling’s structural properties and energy efficiency to the pitched roof.

"ÖÖD Iceland is a house of transparent glass that allows for next-level stargazing from the comfort of your home and bed," says CEO Andreas Tiik. "The apocalyptic scenery is a dramatic match-add strong howling winds and the comfort of a warm, homely cabin and you get the perfect out-of-this-world hideaway."



Two cabins sit in the vast, empty landscape overlooking the Hekla volcano, around three hours’ drive from Reykjavík. The front part of each cabin-for sleeping-is almost entirely glass, while the rear-where the living, kitchen and bathroom spaces are located-is clad in timber for privacy.

ÖÖD created two identical cabins for Andreas and Sabrina Dedler, who rent them out to guests through their company Panorama Glass Lodge Iceland. The 200-square-foot cabin has all the necessities for living-a bedroom, small living space, kitchenette, and bathroom-arranged in a tiny floor plan.



The gable decoration is a Viking element traditionally used to protect homes from danger. The "moon" shape comes from the shape of Viking horns.

Like other ÖÖD homes, the cabins were constructed in a factory, then delivered and installed on-site in just one day. "ÖÖD Iceland has been created with the surrounding landscapes in mind," says Tiik. "Transparent glass is a perfect match with the Icelandic nature, letting in as much of its beauty as possible."



The harsh local climate-including strong winds and acid rain caused by the volcanic landscape-was a particular challenge. The cabin features a copper roof, which is one of the few materials that can cope with acid rain.



ÖÖD Iceland has a number of sustainable features, including substantial insulation, triple-glazed windows, thermally modified timber, programmable thermostats, and LED lighting.

The bedroom is set at the front of the cabin, which is entirely encased in glass so that guests can sleep under the stars. A more private living/dining space and kitchenette are located to the rear. Black hexagonal tiles on the floor and kitchenette backsplash help to define different zones in the open space.



"ÖÖD always hopes to make people feel at home," says CEO Andreas Tiik. "This approach-found in the use of materials, the bespoke solutions, and the warmth of the kitchen-makes a house that is meant to be a hotel to feel like a home."



The custom pendant above the dining table was made by a small Lithuanian design studio based on a brief from the client. The black hexagonal tiles help define the different zones in the tiny interior space.

The cabin’s design is inspired by Viking culture and Nordic mythology-from the rustic, handcrafted bed to the symbolic Viking moon element on the roof, and the custom cord and wire pendant above the dining table. Nordic mythological symbols and runes also adorn the exterior of the home.



The two cabins are named Freya and Alva, and feature the runes for "F" and "A" on the exterior timber wall. Signs from Nordic mythology are also found on the back of the houses. "The viking elements and the runes help the cabins fit into Icelandic history," says CEO Andreas Tiik.

"One of the challenges was to accommodate everything necessary in such a small area-we had to maximize every inch of space available," says Tiik. "Large drawers below the bed, for example, provide ample space to stash everything from clothing to additional blankets for chilly nights." The cupboards are also designed to accommodate travelers suitcases.



The bed is custom-made by a local designer according to a brief by the client. It offers ample storage below to make the most of the small space.



The bed features luxurious supima linen and woolen blankets, as well as hand-knit pillows from a local artist.

The "rustic Nordic" kitchen features dark oak cabinets that complement the black hexagonal tiles that climb from the floor to the backsplash. The cabinets have been deliberately left open to create a welcoming atmosphere. "Imagine how cold and closed off the space would look if everything were hidden in cabinets," says Tiik. "Instead, everything is out in the open, creating a space that feels more like a home and less like a storage unit."



The kitchen features oak woodwork, black fixtures and fittings, and black hexagonal tiles that mimic the lines of the local landscape and represent the "basalt columns and moodiness of Iceland".

A door from the kitchen leads into the bathroom, which features copper and stone details and a dramatic wall crafted from geometric 3D tiles. "When the light is turned on, the shadow effect is very eye-catching," says Tiik. "These particular tiles were chosen thanks to the Viking arrow-like pattern, and the industrial-style lights give it a little bit of an underground feeling."



The bathroom has a richly textured material palette, including a copper towel rack, natural stone basin, and white ceramic tiles. The painting reflected in the mirror depicts draumstafir, magical Nordic staves.

One of the major challenges with the large expanses of glass was controlling light in the summer months, when it doesn’t get dark at all-a phenomenon known as the midnight sun. "These long sunsets can be both beautiful and disturbing," says Tiik. "Therefore, we installed pleated curtains around the bed, which provide privacy as well as shelter from the constant daylight."



The cabins overlook the Hekla volcano, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. It is part of a 25-mile-long volcanic ridge, and during the Middle Ages it was referred to by Europeans as the "Gateway to Hell."

"People visiting ÖÖD Iceland are immensely impressed by the natural forces that you can enjoy in the comfort of the home," says Tiik. "ÖÖD Iceland is less an accommodation and more an experience-the only time that you have to leave the beautiful view is if you fall asleep."



The glass front half of the cabin blurs boundaries between interior and exterior and completely immerses guests in the dramatic surroundings.



Both ÖÖD Iceland houses have a hot tub at the front overlooking the spectacular scenery. "This makes the experience even more surreal," says CEO Andreas Tiik.



A floor plan of ÖÖD’s Iceland mirror house shows how the living, sleeping, dining, and bathroom spaces are arranged.



A floor plan and elevations of ÖÖD’s Iceland mirror house.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
Western Europe Records Hottest June on Record
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Hungary's Prime Minister Criticizes NATO's Role in Ukraine
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Hungarian Scientist to Conduct 30 Research Experiments on the International Space Station
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
International Astronaut Team Launched to Space Station
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
Oil Prices Set to Surge After US Strikes Iran
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
×