Miller Kendrick Architects, a small practice founded by Michael Kendrick and Paul Miller in 2015, have completed their build of a ‘pop-up-hotel’; a cabin that was one of eight winning designs of ‘Epic Retreats’. Named ‘Arthur’s Cave’, this small structure will be featured on Channel 4 as part of the ‘Cabins in the Wild with Dick Strawbridge’ series, the first episode of which airs on Sunday 21st May.

The modern design was inspired by its surrounding ancient Welsh landscapes, which tumble and stretch for miles around the faceted larch-clad structure. With a fantastic outlook across the Snowdonian National Park, and shelter formed by the rocky foothill of Castle Y Bere, MKA’s geometric cabin nestles in a unique and captivating location.

Staying true to MKA’s passion for testing new forms of low-cost, efficient, and sustainable methods of construction, Arthur’s Cave uses locally sourced materials and a clever construction method of jigsaw-joined birch plywood ribs, which acts as structure, fixtures, fittings, and finish… even including a plywood bath.

The continuity of material, and its consequential minimal outcome, acts as a frame for the surrounding beauty of the Northern Welsh hills. Its deep-rooted respect and admiration for its context goes beyond the superficial; this self-contained, self-sustained shelter gains energy through photovoltaics, heat through a log-burner, and returns waste to the land via a composting WC.

With a build time of around a month, its clever structure, and its remarkable envelope, this project is a short and sweet example of how good design can make it all look so easy.