Berlin-based hospitality tech start-up Raus is known for its unique, sustainable cabins, using contemporary design to create stylish retreats in the midst of pristine nature. Now Raus is launching its new cabin model, created in collaboration with Danish designer and architect Sigurd Larsen, who is known for his timeless, nature-inspired design. The cabin will be located on the grounds of Wehrmuehle in Biesenthal, Brandenburg, for six months, at the intersection of art, culture and nature.
"We are particularly pleased that we were able to win Sigurd for Raus, as we saw a great fit between our concept and his impressive work when we first started. With the cabin model he designed, he brings nature and a special architectural claim equally to the fore and creates balance - that's what we're about at Raus on all levels." – Johann Ahlers, co-founder and co-CEO of Raus
CLEVER DESIGN
As with the other cabins, the approach behind the modern design is to make maximum use of the limited space of 18 sqm and to make it seem larger through a well-thought-out concept. After a development and design phase lasting several months, this has been achieved in the cabin through the use of a high ceiling height, large glazed window fronts and skylights as well as large sliding glass doors, which create a flowing connection between the indoor and outdoor areas and elegantly frame nature.
In order to bring the idyllic view fully to the fore and to allow for the most uninterrupted view of nature possible, Larsen decided to focus completely on black when designing the colour scheme of the interior. This avoids reflections in the windows as far as possible, preserves the harmonious interplay between inside and outside and does not unnecessarily distract the viewer's eye.
For the first time, the new cabin offers space for up to three adults or two adults with up to two small children and is equipped with a comfortable queen-size bed (160x200 cm) as well as an additional bunk bed (90x200 cm). The contemporary interior with seating in the living/dining area emphasises the peace and serenity of the scenic surroundings and ensures a relaxing stay in harmony with nature. "With the addition of an extra sleeping space, we aim to make the Raus experience even more versatile for multiple people to experience at the same time. The new cabin model offers the perfect getaway for a small family or good friends", adds Ahlers.
Comfortable and aligned along the course of the sun, the outdoor area was designed with broad stairs and a terrace. This way the sun moves from the kitchen in the morning along behind the cabin, so that at the warmest time of the day you can enjoy the shade on the front terrace and watch the sunset in bed or on the small terrace overlooking the course of the river.
ARTFULLY PLACED: RAUS x WEHRMUEHLE
For the launch of the new cabin, the Berlin-based start-up Raus is collaborating with the cultural venue Wehrmuehle in Biesenthal, Brandenburg, as a temporary location for six months. The historic estate is surrounded by meadows and fields, about an hour north of Berlin, and serves as a venue for contemporary art and culture, especially for the annual Art Biesenthal. The art exhibition is known far beyond the German capital for its remarkable selection of international artists, both emerging and established. Wehrmuehle also regularly offers a residency for artists to support them in their creative work. Until the end of October, guests can discover contemporary art on the premises and watch artists at work or enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and landscape beyond.
"We are very excited to be part of this cultural venue with the new cabin in the coming months. The cabin is located there in an idyllic setting on the edge of the Art Garden, next to the small river Finow and with a beautiful view over a meadow with a forest beyond, directly at the interface between art, culture and nature", says Raus co-founder Ahlers, explaining the new location.
"Working with only a few cubic meters is in some ways always a challenge for architects. But at the same time, I found it to be a source of inspiration because there is such a clear framework set for what is possible. My hope is that each guest will be able to make this place their own and feel at home here, even if for a limited time." – Sigurd Larsen, architect
CABIN CATERING
For guests of the new cabin, Raus offers delicious cabin catering in collaboration with JessicaJoyce Sidon and Cäcilia Baldszus, founders of the former Berlin restaurant Baldon and responsible for the gastronomic concept of this year's Art Biesenthal. A menu consisting of a homemade granola-yoghurt breakfast with products from the neighbouring Lobetal organic farm and a vegetarian stew as well as a bottle of natural wine can be booked individually with the stay.
How did the collaboration with Raus come about and what made this project particularly interesting for you?
When the Raus team contacted me a little less than a year ago, presenting their concept of providing small, well thought out spaces for people in nature, I was totally enthusiastic about the idea from the beginning on. We have recently completed a Tree Top Hotel in Denmark where every hotel room is a cabin hanging in the trees and I think once we started with this project, we really got into that whole world of creating very efficient spaces. So, for us, designing a cabin for Raus was a really easy decision to make. Also, because it’s such a relatable project, something we could easily imagine visiting ourselves.
What inspired you for this design?
Working with such a small space that yet needs to contain a lot of different facilities so that basically up to four people can stay here was a challenge – but it was also the source of inspiration, because you have such a clear framework of what you can do and what you can’t. Our goal is always to make smaller spaces appear much bigger than they are. And what I especially love about designing hotels, spaces that many different people will stay in, is that you have the creative freedom to provide something people usually don’t have at home. So, we take these chances and do things a little bit differently.
Which concrete ideas did you have in mind for this space?
We were very much into the idea of framing what you see from the inside – framing beautiful views. We packed all program on one side so the other side remained free, using the full height of the space and getting the illusion of one big room, also due to the large windows and sliding doors. The whole space is open, and the bed, the seating area, the bunk bed and the bathroom are all niches in an inhabited wall, so it feels more like a protected area, even sort of a cave, where you have the full open view in all other directions, inviting the surroundings in.
What are the total essentials you wanted to include in 18 square meters?
Of course, there are the essential facilities such as bathroom, bed and kitchen, that needed to be part of this space. But still we had to prioritize a lot with the cubic meters given. We focused on the kitchen and of course on the bed, which is placed in the best spot in the room to enjoy the view. This is something we took from hotel design – in general the whole design of this cabin can be compared to the design of a hotel room rather than the design of a caravan, for example. A caravan tends to have a lot of small rooms, so people have separate spaces, and then it usually comes with many small windows to look out in all directions. For this cabin, we took more what feels like the part of a modern building that we just put out in nature.
Why did you decide to go with black for the interior?
I think this is one of the most radical decisions we made with this design. Actually, it’s mostly about avoiding reflections in the glass so we can get the most out of the view. And even though you could state that black makes the room appear smaller – I think this is something we counterbalance with the big windows. What we also thought about with the colour black, was that it pleases the eye a lot. Imagine you’d spend a whole summer day outside in the sun, and then you get back into a room that is a little darker – it sometimes feels quite like a release for your eyes taking a break from the bright light.
The cabin is built to function fully self-sufficient. To what extent did you pay attention to topics such as eco-friendliness and energy sufficiency?
Of course, we have to rethink how we're traveling and how we’re living our lives in terms of resources, so I think in general giving unique experiences a little bit closer to where many people live is a very good contribution. The cabin comes with solar panels on the roof, so it’s powered by green energy. As in every Raus cabin, we also installed a modern dry toilet here. The fact that the cabin functions self-sufficient is something that helps us with being mindful about resources and simultaneously enables us to place it in any surrounding where you just don’t have an infrastructure on site. I think when people hopefully had a great experience being out there, maybe they even spotted some animals and just enjoyed nature to the fullest, that's something they’ll remember. And then hopefully they want to come back, maybe they want to explore similar accommodations or travel more sustainably in general.
So, do you think staying in this kind of cabin is also about rediscovering nature?
Yes, in a way it’s also a learning experience to everyone when you’re staying in the midst of nature, close to a forest, a creek or just beneath the trees. We actually talked a lot about this topic with the Raus team as well, also in terms of which books we should provide in the cabin. Normally as an architect I don't go that deep into it, but in this case, we discussed every detail. So, with the books for example, when making a selection we thought about how we could maybe help people to inform themselves about nature.
What’s your aspiration for how people should feel during their stay in this cabin?
I somehow always imagined that when people stay here, they’ll spend a lot of time outside as well, so we wanted the inside to be especially cosy. Throughout the day you can find many different spots here to make yourself comfortable, also depending on the time of the day and where the light is. I really hope that people find their own way of using this cabin – I think it's flexible enough although it’s small, but you can really do whatever you want here. Also, I think it’s easy to get in the state of mind you want to be in when you’re out here, where everything is probably a little bit slower.
You’ve already been staying in this cabin. How was it?
When I was here, it was full moon and we didn't close the shutters. I woke up in the middle of the night looking at the forest lit by the full moon. I think I’ve never seen that in my life before. Watching these long shadows in front of my bed – that was a very spectacular experience.
